Mahlengi Bhengu Says Ramaphosa Is Not Going Anywhere, But Some Are Not Buying It

The African National Congress has denied reports that party officials are pressuring President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down in the wake of the ANC’s crushing loss of support in the 2026 municipal elections.

According to ANC national spokesman Mahlengi Bhengu, who talked to media on Thursday, the party’s leadership group is not trying to get Ramaphosa out of office. At its next meeting, the ANC’s National Executive Committee would presumably discuss the election’s outcomes and determine how the party will approach coalition talks, as she said before the gathering.

Additionally, Bhengu denied rumours that after the election, Ramaphosa pondered resigning as president of the African National Congress (ANC). Reuters says that she characterised the allegations as false. Although the ANC has issued a statement in response to internal party pressure, it does nothing to alleviate the increased public scrutiny of the president as a result of the party’s dismal performance.

In the 2021 municipal election, the ANC garnered 46% of the vote; this time around, they only managed 31%. The outcome was seen as a fresh low point for the party, which has held national leadership since apartheid’s end. The ANC’s leadership, campaign, and capacity to retain supporters have come under scrutiny due to the decreased support.

Thabo Mbeki, the former president, has spoken out against Ramaphosa’s performance, claiming that he and other ANC officials should stand down if rumours about the president’s resignation were accurate. Although Mbeki’s remarks stoked popular interest, they in no way constitute an official ANC leadership decision.

As the party deals with the real-world fallout from its election defeats, the NEC meeting takes place. Many municipalities, even important cities like Johannesburg, did not have an outright majority, hence coalition agreements were essential to create local governments. Instead of using a blanket national formula, the ANC has said that it would evaluate possible partnerships on a municipality-by-municipality basis.

While other political parties have contacted the ANC about potential agreements, the party has not yet begun discussions, according to Bhengu. As discussions progress, the party’s negotiation teams will look to the NEC for direction.

After two five-year terms in office, Ramaphosa will step down as president of the African National Congress (ANC) in December 2027, when the party chooses its next leader. Despite the loss in the election, the ANC leadership has openly supported his continuation of office up to this point.

The party’s ability to respond to the election results and form a coalition will be the first challenge it faces. Municipal discussions and the ANC’s orientation under Ramaphosa will be influenced by its debates.

https://x.com/Newzroom405/status/2120810497142354325

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