Ramaphosa’s foes have a mountain to climb

In the end, the parliamentary vote on the Section 89 panel report into the Phala Phala burglary wasn’t about the constitution, or even justice. It was a popularity contest for President Cyril Ramaphosa.

And he won it … hands down.

The threatened rebellion by ANC members came to nothing, as just four of the party’s MPs opted to defy national executive committee orders and vote for the acceptance of the report, which could have been a first step in impeaching Ramaphosa.

Unsurprisingly, it was the president’s bitter foes – including Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, former Free State MEC Mosebenzi Zwane and the outspoken Mervyn Dirks – who sided with the opposition in voting for the report.

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Mahumapelo and Zwane have both been accused of corruption in their respective provinces and are prominent members of the ANC’s radical economic transformation (RET) faction, as is Dlamini-Zuma. Yet, they looked lonely and bitter as they sat on the ANC’s benches.

The final vote – in favour of Ramaphosa – was not only a crushing indication of his support within the party, but sent a chilling message, just days ahead of the ANC’s elective conference, that the president will be difficult to defeat in the voting for party president.

The ANC has always been a party where members follow strength and anyone who shows weakness is shunned.

That is why it is curious that two of Ramaphosa’s most vociferous critics – his presidential nomination opponent, Zweli Mkhize, and tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu – were conspicuous in their absence.

Why did they not have the courage of their convictions and challenge Ramaphosa openly?

Perhaps they see the elective conference writing on the wall. Because, whatever way you slice it, yesterday’s vote leaves Ramaphosa’s foes with a mountain to climb.

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