Collen Malatji Hits Back at Thabo Mbeki Over Ramaphosa Resignation Call

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has launched a strong response against former president Thabo Mbeki after he questioned whether President Cyril Ramaphosa and other senior ANC leaders should remain in their positions following the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 local government elections.

Malatji did not hold back when addressing the controversy during a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Instead of accepting Mbeki’s criticism of the current leadership, the youth league president argued that the former president and other long-serving ANC leaders must also answer for the problems that have weakened the organisation over the years.

He accused the old guard of contributing to the party’s decline and questioned why responsibility was now being placed mainly on the current leadership.

“But our key statement is that the old guard, including President Thabo Mbeki, are part of the problem that we have in the ANC,” Malatji said.

He also challenged the fairness of expecting one national leadership collective to carry the blame for difficulties that had developed over several years.

“I think it is unfair to want to burden one national collective with a problem that was caused many years ago by the NEC,” he said.

Malatji further referred to the controversial arms deal and the corruption issues that emerged during earlier ANC administrations. He argued that the party’s credibility had been damaged long before the current leadership took office.

“The first time we dealt with corruption in the arms deal was under them, including comrade Tony Yengeni,” he said.

His remarks came after Mbeki questioned the ANC leadership’s ability to reverse the party’s declining support. Speaking on the African Renaissance Podcast hosted by Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, the former president argued that the current leadership needed to accept responsibility for the election setback.

Mbeki questioned what positive developments could be attributed to Ramaphosa’s leadership since he became ANC president in 2017 and South African president in 2018.

The 2026 election results underline the scale of the challenge. The ANC’s national vote share fell from 45.59% in 2021 to 30.76% in 2026, while the DA secured 24.64% and the MK Party received 9.76%.

Malatji believes accountability must extend beyond the current leadership. He also called for younger leaders to take a greater role in rebuilding the organisation.

“It needs a younger generation that will be able to implement that,” he said.

He challenged Mbeki to attend an ANC National Executive Committee meeting and explain why he did not resign when similar problems confronted the party during his own leadership.

With the disagreement now exposing another division within the ANC, South Africans are watching how the party responds to its election setback. Do you agree with Malatji that Mbeki and the old guard must also take responsibility, or should Ramaphosa’s leadership carry the blame? Share your views below.

Source:https://x.com/IOL/status/2120135771239702821?a=BM7ikshmpu9Tmgygvtk&s=19

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