Both the ANC Women’s League and the ANC Youth League have come to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s defence and dismissed rumours of a possible recall.
This follows a report in the Sunday World, citing unnamed NEC sources, who claim that deputy ministers Mondli Gungubele and Joe Phaahla are allegedly leading a plot to oust him.
In a strongly worded statement, the ANC Youth League has labelled it “baseless fabrications” aimed at sowing division ahead of the party’s National General Council.
The Youth League says it will confront what it calls “shadowy wedge-drivers” spreading misinformation, insisting the ANC remains united and focused under President Ramaphosa.
“These fabrications seek to weaken and derail the ANC precisely as we approach the 5th National General Council (NGC), where the organisation will rigorously assess progress, refine our Strategy and Tactics, and develop solutions to confront the socio-economic challenges facing the nation.”
The ANCYL says under Ramaphosa’s stewardship, South Africa has seen a renewed and deliberate focus on building a truly inclusive economy, characterised by governance reforms, strengthened accountability and the reinvigoration of state institutions.
“It is for this reason that the Youth League remains united behind President Ramaphosa. We will not allow detractors, gossipmongers or shadowy wedge-drivers to weaponise lies against the movement. To those who hide behind anonymous briefings and factional whisper campaigns about so-called “recalls”: come forward openly. Stop operating like the very wedge-drivers that President Oliver Tambo warned us against.”
Similarly, the ANC Women’s League has also expressed its full confidence in the leadership of the President.
“It is quite alarming that some within the ANC might disregard established organisational protocols to raise any discontent arising from the leadership of the President and choose to inundate the media with falsehood. President Ramaphosa is on record in his abhorrence and action against corruption, through convictions by competent courts of law and recouping billions of rands that were stolen from the public purse over the last decade of corruption and malfeasance.”
The ANCWL says the claims emanate from “charlatans of doom” who go around peddling lies through reactionary campaigns for their own selfish endeavours.
It added that an ordinary NEC meeting cannot remove a sitting President, but only the National General Council (NGC) and an elective national conference, where branches of the ANC can make that determination.
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