Cyril Ramaphosa’s party allies and even some competitors have denounced the protesters who shouted and sang during the commencement of his speech at an African National Congress meeting (ANC).
Siboniso Duma, the head of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial ANC, the largest power bloc attempting to oust Ramaphosa, stated on Saturday that “we must denounce [the interruption] because it’s not the behavior of the ANC membership.”
He told the station Newzroom Afrika that “you can’t just [make noise] when the president is speaking,” responding to criticism of the disturbance on Friday that some people believed might have strengthened the president.
At the ANC’s five-day convention, where candidates for the 2024 general elections were chosen, Ramaphosa gave a speech. Despite a scandal involving the discovery of a cash stash at his Phala Phala game estate in the province of Limpopo, the president is running for a second term and is widely regarded as the party’s best candidate.
In the midst of boisterous cries of “Out, Ramaphosa, out!” during Friday’s speech, he could hardly be heard, his words drowned out for several minutes before the hecklers calmed down.
Ramaphosa is up against fierce pressure from a rival ANC party, which wants him to step down in response to the Phala Phala controversy. Despite a report from the parliament that resulted in an unsuccessful impeachment vote, he has denied any misconduct and has not been charged with any crimes.
Since the demise of the white minority government in South Africa in 1994, the ANC’s presidential candidate has been a lock for the position.
Some delegates claimed the infighting meant the conference’s decision on the candidacy might be delayed until Sunday or later. The conference was scheduled to decide on the candidacy late on Saturday.
The debate is still going on. Trade-offs are still being made, said Oscar Mabuyane, the Eastern Cape ANC chairman and deputy presidential candidate for the ANC. The provinces are active. At this point, nothing is finished. We are all eager to leave our place with a strong, steady leadership.
Supporters of previous president Jacob Zuma, who is also under investigation for allegedly conspiring with three Indian businessmen, the brothers Atul, Ajay, and Rajesh Gupta, to siphon off state monies throughout his administration from 2009 to 2018, have been energized by Ramaphosa’s political difficulties. Zuma disputes those accusations.
Zweli Mkhize, the former health minister who Ramaphosa placed on special leave this year following claims that his department improperly granted COVID-19-related contracts to a company controlled by his old allies, is the strongest challenger from that group. Mkhize disputes his guilt.
Some others claimed that the incident on Friday would delay their challenge.
Northern Cape ANC chairman Zamani Saul told SABC news that “it was entirely out of line.” The actions they took yesterday damaged their campaign.
