The ANC says it will support President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to seek a High Court review of the independent panel report, while continuing governance work ahead of the 2026 municipal elections.
Image: Facebook/ MyANC
The African National Congress (ANC) has ruled out any discussion of the recall or resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa following a special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Cape Town, saying his mandate remains intact and leadership unchanged.
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said this at a media briefing on Friday following the NEC meeting, which was convened to consider the Constitutional Court judgment on the Section 89 matter.
Mbalula said the NEC had not considered removing Ramaphosa from office.
“The National Executive Committee did not consider the recall of the President, and resignation was not on the table,” he said.
He dismissed speculation about leadership changes, saying no such matter was discussed.
“Resignation was not on the table. None of those matters were on the table,” Mbalula said.
He said the Constitutional Court did not order an impeachment process, did not find the President guilty of wrongdoing, did not direct his removal from office, and did not endorse the findings of the independent panel.
Mbalula said the judgment dealt with procedural issues in Parliament rather than the merits of the Section 89 process.
“The judgment is concerned with the procedural conduct of the National Assembly and the rules under which it acted. It is not in any respect a finding on the merits of the matter,” he said.
He said the NEC received legal advice and viewed the judgment as part of strengthening constitutional democracy.
Mbalula praised the Constitutional Court and Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, saying the ruling reflected institutional maturity and should be seen as part of democratic “growth”.
He said the ANC remained committed to the Constitution as the country approaches 30 years of democracy.
“The African National Congress stands behind that growth path. The African National Congress will continue to stand behind that growth path,” he said.
Mbalula confirmed that the NEC supported Ramaphosa’s decision to launch a High Court review of the independent panel report.
“The National Executive Committee have recorded our unanimous support for the President's decision to launch that review application in the High Court,” he said.
He said exercising constitutional rights does not amount to avoiding accountability.
“The exercise of constitutional rights by a citizen of the Republic, including a citizen who holds the office of President, is not an evasion of accountability. It is the substance of accountability,” he said.
Mbalula dismissed speculation over leadership changes, reiterating that resignation and recall were never discussed.
He said the NEC reaffirmed Ramaphosa’s mandate as ANC President and as head of government in the Government of National Unity, noting his election at the 55th National Conference in Nasrec in 2022 and his mandate from the 2024 general election.
He added that the ANC remained focused on governance priorities, including its programme to fix local government and transform the economy ahead of the 2026 municipal elections.
Mbalula said the Constitutional Court ruling would not disrupt government or party work, adding that parliamentary and legal processes would continue while governance proceeds.
The ANC said it will continue to govern within the framework of the Constitution while pursuing organisational renewal.
Mbalula said the ANC believes the country’s governance system is functioning as designed.
“The system of governance, the state established by the ANC from 1994 is working the way it was designed to work,” he said.
He said South Africa’s constitutional democracy remains strong and will continue to be protected.
“Our democracy, our constitutional democracy is strong. It will remain strong under the ANC,” Mbalula said.
He added that accountability applies to all. “Rights will be protected. There shall be accountability for all. No one is above the law, and no one is under the law. We are equal. What is good for one must be good for the other,” he said.
Mbalula also said the Constitution protects the President’s rights as a citizen. “The President’s rights as a person are also contained in the Constitution,” he said.
“The ANC wants to make it clear that we are in our renewal and regeneration. People’s needs first. Economic transformation first. No retreat,” he said.
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