President Cyril Ramaphosa enjoys an upsurge of popularity. At the ANC’s national general council (NGC) forum in Johannesburg this week the president was given a rapturous reception by the delegates. This was at the start of the conference. The enthusiastic support Ramaphosa has received at the conference has put paid to any possible plan to recall him by his internal foes which will not be carried out with success. The delegates bedecked in ANC regalia broke into song at the venue in Ekurhuleni on Monday, chorusing “Ramaphosa we Love You with all our hearts, We, will walk with you” in Sotho-Tswana (southern Sotho). The atmosphere was effectively transformed into a rally for the previously ridiculed Ramaphosa. The conference hall also effectively echoed with chants of “Ramaphosa”.
Indirectly addressing Ramaphosa’s critics in his supplication for a successful NGC, ANC former chaplain-general Reverend Vukile Mehana prayed: “We call upon you, Lord, to give him perseverance to focus, because not all will agree with him. When Oliver Tambo led, there were those who did not agree with him. When Nelson Mandela led, there were those who were against him. When Thabo Mbeki led, there were those who were against him.” Allegations surfaced in the run-up to the NGC that some members of the ANC national executive committee (NEC) were calling for Ramaphosa to resign. In his closing remarks at an NEC meeting last month, Ramaphosa said anyone calling for his removal should do so to his face rather than in private corners.
Days later, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula confirmed that a few party members believed its leader should resign and were hoping to use the national general council to advance their agenda. He, however, added that Ramaphosa was an asset who would be betraying the ANC by stepping down.
Ramaphosa is certainly a survivor. He is a veteran of the struggle with a calm head. Many with in the governing party of the ANC have sort to undermine Ramaphosa’s presidency and legacy but the President has pulled through. He needs to now translate that iron steadfast will into action. There is still much for Ramaphosa to do, including paving the way for a successor. Ramaphosa is a brave man due to challenging his opponents to call on him to resign to his face. The ANC as a party is in a precarious position to recall him from office. Prior to Ramaphosa’s Presidency the party had been disunited over the era of then President Jacob Zuma and policies particularly the policies surrounding state capture.
In terms of political pragmatism and reality Ramaphosa has shown himself to be an anchor that cannot be dislodged by those who are disgruntled by his policies. Ramaphosa is the doctor who has delivered some sour but necessary medicine to the nation. He has not always been successful with the patient, but he seems to have learned from his mistakes.
Zuma and his new associated party the Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) Party are reeling from having failed to have Ramaphosa’s suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu overturned.
Judge Anthony Millar ruled that suspending a minister pending serious but unverified allegations, and instituting an independent inquiry to establish the facts, are both rational and lawful exercises of executive power. “In this instance, the President, on the facts presented, did rationally apply his mind to the establishment of the Madlanga Commission. It is a decision that cannot be faulted from a legality and rationality vantage point. In the premises, the entire application falls to be dismissed.” Millar said it was apposite for the court to briefly address the issue of the suspension or interdict referred to in the Notice of Motion. “Mr [Dali] Mpofu correctly submitted that a setting aside of a President’s decision required confirmation by the Constitutional Court – hence a suspension pending confirmation.
As already outlined, this Court is not making such a declaration. We do mention in passing that a temporary interdict or temporary relief mentioned in section 172(2)(b) still has to tick all the boxes applicable to an interdict remedy, failing which a court must refuse to exercise its discretionary powers31.“
The above findings by Judge Millar should not come as a surprize. President Ramaphosa suspended Minister Mchunu from his duties as Police Minister due to alleged abuses of power in the investigation of extrajudicial political killings. Now it comes to what interests Zuma and MK have to see Mchunu reinstated in his former position. Why were they impatient to allow due process of the law to follow? Were there any skeletons in the closet they want to remain hidden concerning them in regard to the killings? The dismissal of the case leaves much to be desired in this scenario for MK and Zuma. Why would Zuma desire to take the risk of pursuing a case he, his party (MK) and legal team were going to lose?
The court found that all the criteria and legal protocols were followed when Ramaphosa dismissed Mchunu, so the court application for his reinstatement fell through. Ramaphosa may stand firm till the end of his second term and the commission of enquiry into the extrajudicial killings in KwaZulu-Natal will continue and the truth will be revealed.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
