A fresh storm has erupted inside the ruling ANC after claims emerged that a covert group of insiders had plotted to forcibly remove President Cyril Ramaphosa from power. The explosive allegations, published this week by a local media outfit, rattled party ranks — prompting immediate denials and a rush by senior leaders to contain the fallout.
According to the report, unnamed figures within the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) were said to be mobilising behind closed doors, raising whispers of a no-confidence vote aimed at ousting Ramaphosa ahead of the party’s upcoming National General Council (NGC), scheduled for December 8–12. Some of those named allegedly included high-ranking NEC members — a revelation that caused panic among loyalists and triggered a defensive reaction from the party leadership.
In response, the ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, convened a special NEC sitting and declared that the claims were nothing more than a “coordinated effort” designed to poison internal unity. He insisted the forthcoming NGC would focus solely on policy renewal — not leadership purges.
The ministers singled out by the allegations — Joe Phaahla (Deputy Health Minister) and Mondli Gungubele (Deputy Minister and veteran NEC member) — were quick to distance themselves. Phaahla branded the reports as “utter rubbish and pure hogwash,” accusing the unnamed accusers of attempting to sow division and destroy party cohesion. Gungubele, meanwhile, dismissed the notion as so baseless it demanded “the best possible psychiatric assessment.”
Support for Ramaphosa was also swiftly reaffirmed by ANC affiliates — notably the Youth, Women’s and Veterans’ Leagues — who condemned the claims as malicious and destabilising. Their united stand leaves little doubt where the official sentiment within the party lies ahead of the NGC meeting.
Outside the party’s inner circles, arms of the broader alliance reacted firmly against the alleged coup attempts. Cosatu’s president, Zingiswa Losi, slammed the “small minds” reportedly behind the rumours — urging any dissatisfied members to use constitutional channels rather than shady campaigns. Losi said the alliance stands firmly with Ramaphosa and condemned any form of clandestine leadership manoeuvring.
Still, the dramatic leak and the rapid avalanche of denials leave lingering questions: who stands behind such destabilising narratives, and what hidden aims might they harbor? As the ANC approaches its NGC — widely viewed as a dress rehearsal for the 2027 elective conference — many analysts believe this could be the opening salvo in a deeper factional war. For now, Ramaphosa’s hold on power looks secure. But the events have exposed just how fragile the unity of South Africa’s ruling party may be.