By Zukile Majova
- President Cyril Ramaphosa is taking action against ANC leaders in the Free State after the party’s support dropped to 52% in the 2024 elections.
- Critics accuse Ramaphosa of protecting his allies while using the ANC renewal programme to remove political opponents.
Fresh from sjamboking the premier of Gauteng and the mayor of Johannesburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa has turned his attention to the Free State province.
Ramaphosa, whose party, the ANC, has seen its vote share drop from 62% in 2014 to 57% in 2019 and 40% in 2024, has been punished by voters for poor service delivery.
A perception that the ANC tolerates corrupt leaders who steal public funds has been identified as contributing to the lack of trust between the party and communities.
Ramaphosa is leading the so-called ANC renewal programme, which is designed to get rid of corrupt leaders.
But he has been criticised for being tolerant of his loyalists while using the renewal programme to remove political opponents.
His critics say he appointed former Polokwane Municipality mayor Thembi Simelane as his minister of justice despite her being implicated in the VBS Bank looting scandal.
When opposition parties and the public complained about her suitability, Ramaphosa refused to fire her but instead moved her to the housing portfolio in the cabinet.
Recently, the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has been implicated in overseeing corrupt deals amounting to R80 million during her tenure at Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality.
So far, Ramaphosa is resisting pressure to demote her.
In the Free State, the ANC received just 52% of the vote in the 2024 national general elections.
The ANC top brass and its national working committee descended on Mangaung Metro (Bloemfontein) at the weekend and are expected to hold their weekly meeting in the city on Monday.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the leaders met communities in five different regions on Saturday.
The party is hoping to fix some of its broken branches in preparation for the party’s provincial elective conference.
“There is no dissolution or disbandment, it is really about reinforcing the province,” said Bhengu.
Pictured above: ANC bosses meet at Windmill Casino in Bloemfontein in the Free State.
Image source: @MYANC
