ANC Secretary-General Backs Ramaphosa Amid Farmgate Scandal

Fikile Mbalula, the Secretary-General of South Africa's African National Congress (ANC), has publicly supported President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the ongoing 'Farmgate' scandal. The controversy centers on the theft of approximately $580,000 in cash from a sofa at Ramaphosa’s ranch, raising questions about the source of the funds and their declaration. Although the ANC previously blocked impeachment efforts in 2022, the Constitutional Court recently revived the process. Mbalula dismissed calls for Ramaphosa’s resignation as opportunistic, stating that the court judgment does not mandate his step-down. He confirmed that the ANC’s National Executive Committee would review the judgment independently without external pressure, noting that Ramaphosa would abstain from the meeting to allow free discussion. Political analysts suggest that while the scandal embarrasses Ramaphosa, who campaigned on anti-corruption platforms, he is likely to survive any parliamentary impeachment vote. This is because such a motion requires a two-thirds majority, and the ANC still holds significant seats in the National Assembly despite declining electoral support. The party appears poised to close ranks around its leader until his term ends in 2029.