Mbalula Says Ramaphosa Will Not Resign Despite ANC’s Poor Election Results

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has dismissed reports suggesting that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering resigning following the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 local government elections. Mbalula made it clear that the president is not planning to leave office, insisting that there is no decision within the ANC to ask him to step down.

The controversy comes after reports emerged claiming that Ramaphosa had discussed the possibility of resigning during discussions involving senior ANC leaders. According to the reports, the president was allegedly concerned about the party’s declining electoral support and suggested that the ANC’s top leadership should take responsibility for the poor results. These claims created fresh discussions about the future of his leadership.

However, Mbalula strongly rejected the reports, describing the suggestion that Ramaphosa would resign as false. He insisted that the president was not going anywhere and that resignation was not being considered by the ANC. He also explained that party leaders were expected to complete the responsibilities entrusted to them rather than abandon their positions because of difficult political circumstances.

The ANC’s poor performance in the elections has placed the party under pressure, with official results showing that it secured approximately 30.76 per cent of the national vote, compared with 45.59 per cent in the 2021 local government elections. Mbalula acknowledged that the party needed to examine its weaknesses, particularly concerns about municipal leadership, service delivery and internal organisational problems that may have affected voter confidence.

Meanwhile, Mbalula said the ANC was preparing a report to guide discussions at its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and determine how the party should respond to the election outcome. His statement makes the ANC’s position on Ramaphosa’s leadership clear for now, even as the party faces growing pressure to rebuild public confidence and address the concerns raised by voters.

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