[ad_1]
President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly survived an attack on his leadership after a senior ANC official called for his resignation ahead of the ruling party’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting.
the sunday time reported that Tony Yengeni, a member of the ANC NEC, was one of the most important officials in calling for the president’s resignation, saying he lacked the “moral compass” to lead the fight against corruption.
“What Tony was saying is that the question of standing aside must start with you as president … You are in court,” said one executive, who asked not to be named. Ramaphosa also disparaged the ANC by describing the party as the “number one defendant.”
“Once you say that, you are putting the ANC in a mess. That is the narrative of the DA and other opposition parties. As president of the ANC, he cannot align himself with that, ”said the executive.
“So you have to lead by example and step aside. Emulate Zuma, who stepped aside when he was indicted in 2005, before the national general council brought him back. “
Despite calls to resign, Ramaphosa remained steadfast in the fight against corruption and said he will appear before the party’s integrity commission to answer questions related to funding his 2017 campaign to become party chairman.
Letter to the ANC
Ramaphosa faces increased scrutiny after sending a open letter to ANC members last weekend, criticizing corruption within the party. He said the ANC must face the reality that its leaders are accused of corruption and that the party itself is “accused number one.”
He said that corruption involved companies and individuals from the private sector, but is also deeply rooted within the party and the government.
“As heirs to the legacy of Luthuli, Tambo and Mandela, we must be honest with ourselves. We must recognize that our movement, (the ANC), has been and continues to be deeply involved in the corruption problem in South Africa.
“We have to be sensitive to the concerns our people are raising about our role as a movement in corrupt activities,” the president said.
“Today, the ANC and its leaders are accused of corruption. The ANC may not be alone in the dock, but it is defendant number one. This is the initial reality that we must now face, ”he said.
Ramaphosa said he is not suggesting that corruption is just a problem within the ANC, or that corruption is widespread among members, but the party has been ineffective in dealing with corruption and, in some cases, allowed it to flourish.
Possible cabinet reshuffle
As the political maneuvering will continue this weekend, Bloomberg reported that Ramaphosa is considering making changes to his cabinet, citing people familiar with the deliberations.
The meeting could be a showdown between the president and his rivals within the ANC, said the people, who asked not to be identified as no public statement has been made.
Ramaphosa is looking for ways to revive South Africa’s stagnant economy and help boost investor confidence in his administration.
Read: The ‘ray of light’ of South Africa’s Covid-19 corruption: Ramaphosa
[ad_2]
