Malema Says ANC Must Sacrifice Ramaphosa If Zuma Demands It For MKP Deal

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has suggested that the African National Congress (ANC) should be prepared to remove President Cyril Ramaphosa if former president Jacob Zuma makes his departure a condition for the MK Party to work with the governing party.

Malema made the remarks while discussing the possibility of political cooperation between the ANC and Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), which has emerged as an influential political force following its strong performance in the 2024 national elections and its participation in the 2026 local government elections.

According to Malema, if Zuma demands that Ramaphosa must leave office before the MKP can consider working with the ANC, the governing party should accept that condition.

“The ANC must agree! They must get rid of Ramaphosa,” Malema said.

His comments place the future of Ramaphosa’s leadership at the centre of an increasingly complicated political discussion about possible alliances and coalition arrangements involving the ANC and other political parties.

The ANC has faced growing political pressure following its declining electoral support and the changing political landscape in South Africa. The party’s ability to secure cooperation with other political formations has become increasingly important as it navigates coalition negotiations and the consequences of its reduced electoral strength.

Zuma, who served as president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, remains a significant political figure through the MKP. His relationship with the ANC deteriorated after his departure from the party, with the formation of the MKP creating another major challenge for the organisation.

The possibility of cooperation between the two parties would represent a significant political development, particularly given the history of tensions between Zuma and the current ANC leadership.

However, any arrangement involving the ANC and MKP would likely require difficult negotiations over leadership, policy priorities and the distribution of political power.

Malema’s remarks also highlight the complicated position facing the ANC as it attempts to rebuild its electoral support while maintaining its current leadership structures.

Ramaphosa’s position within the party has been a subject of political debate, particularly as the ANC continues to confront questions about its electoral performance, internal divisions and future direction.

Although Malema’s statement does not establish that Zuma has formally made such a demand, it places the possibility of Ramaphosa’s removal on the table as a potential condition for political cooperation.

The ANC has yet to indicate whether it would consider such an arrangement. Any decision to remove Ramaphosa would have significant implications for the party’s leadership and the country’s political landscape.

For now, Malema’s intervention adds another dimension to the debate over whether political survival could eventually force the ANC to make major leadership concessions to secure cooperation with the MKP.