Ramaphosa resignation claims not true – Mbalula

Ask AI 1minANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says President Cyril Ramaphosa is not stepping down from his position.

Johannesburg – ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has rejected reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering resigning, insisting he is not going anywhere.

The denial follows claims by at least five National Executive Committee (NEC) members that Ramaphosa raised the prospect of stepping down after the ANC’s support fell to about 31% in the 2026 local government elections.

According to the reports, Ramaphosa suggested the ANC’s top leaders should take responsibility for successive electoral setbacks.

He was also said to have indicated he would resign alone if the leadership group did not step aside.

Some insiders reportedly warned that his departure could place the Government of National Unity (GNU) at risk.

Mbalula dismissed the suggestion that Ramaphosa’s departure was under consideration.

“There’s no such consideration in the ANC,” he said, adding that the party was preparing a report for the NEC to guide its response.

“We are going to the NEC to get a report which we are working on now, and we characterise it as a doctrine that will guide us to respond to the moment,” Mbalula said.

He said the party would examine how its election campaign was run and identify the reasons behind its performance.

Mbalula acknowledged that dissatisfaction with councillors and municipal services had been evident before the elections, including in Johannesburg.

Despite the setback, he described the ANC as resilient, saying its continued national lead was not a miracle and reflected voters’ support.

The figures cited place the ANC on nearly 31%, followed by the DA on 25%, the MK Party on 10%, and the EFF and ActionSA on 6% each.