Pretoria - The Limpopo ANC is the latest structure to throw its weight behind its KwaZulu-Natal counterparts who lambasted former presidents Jacob Zuma, Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe’s assault on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership at the weekend.
The move suggests the two provincial executive committees (PECs) have cemented their relationship ahead of the party’s December elective conference. The two structures seem to be backing two different candidates to lead the ANC, but it is the second time they publicly share the same view on the conference.
Limpopo, although appearing divided, has endorsed Ramaphosa, while KZN gave the nod to former health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Lindiwe Sisulu are also in the race.
Last week, the two leadership structures sang the same tune, announcing they would be campaigning to scrap the party’s step-aside rule at the conference, teaming up against Ramaphosa.
The two provinces, also in unison, called for Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter’s sacking for his failure to curb load shedding.
On Sunday the ANC in Limpopo denounced the former presidents for speaking in public against Ramaphosa, hours after the ANC in KZN did the same, saying the former leaders had the right to speak out against Ramaphosa, but they should use internal processes to avoid public spats.
Ramaphosa’s predecessors on Saturday publicly assaulted his presidency and leadership, with Zuma accusing him of corruption, treason and selling out the Constitution while Mbeki, at a separate event, was concerned about the ANC’s approach towards the Phala Phala matter.
The ANC nationally has been mum with spokesperson Pule Mabe not responding to phone calls or texts, which could indicate the president is running out of favour within the party.
But the ANC Limpopo and KZN PECs have not minced their words, saying it was unbecoming of the former presidents to engage in a public spat.
Speaking on a television news channel yesterday, ANC Limpopo provincial chairperson Reuben Madadzhe said he understood the former presidents should have raised the matter with Ramaphosa before going public. “We think the former presidents have the right to raise their concerns but not in public. They did not raise any of these (issues) in the last NEC (national executive committee) meeting,” said Madadzhe.
The PEC had scheduled a meeting with Mbeki to understand why they did not use the proper channels first.
Asked what if the outcome of investigations went against Ramaphosa, Madadzhe said: “If the president is charged he would have to step aside.”
On Sunday, Madadzhe said the PEC was disappointed. “The ANC in Limpopo has noted, with great disappointment, the conduct of former presidents for … publicly attacking President Cyril Ramaphosa …there are challenges facing the ANC and government, however such problems cannot be attributed to President Ramaphosa.”
Earlier ANC KZN secretary Bheki Mtolo said: “The ANC KZN notes with concern public spats with former ANC presidents … attacking the sitting ANC president and party publicly.”
Pretoria News