Why Mahumapelo is Ramaphosa’s biggest problem
Mahumapelo has reportedly turned down offers from Ramaphosa in a bid to retain his position in North West.
Supra Mahumapelo speaks at a press conference at Luthuli House, 23 May 2018, where he announced that he would be going on early retirement, thus leaving his post as Premier of the North West Province. Picture: Michel Bega
The general election is reportedly bringing with it a major problem for President Cyril Ramaphosa in the form of Supra Mahumapelo as the ANC’s national leadership is reportedly struggling to deal with him.
Mahumapelo was recently vindicated after the high court ruled in his favour and ordered that he and his leadership be reinstated, though Ramaphosa is yet to implement the ruling.
City Press reported that Mahumapelo is allegedly seen as “divisive” following his meeting with former president Jacob Zuma and other ANC members last year.
Mahumapelo reportedly rejected offers of an ambassadorship and seats in parliament and in the National Council of Provinces because accepting the positions would be “the end of him”.
“He knows that if he leaves the North West, that will be the end of him. He knows investigations into him will be reopened and he might end up in jail. That is why he is causing chaos in the province,” a senior government official reportedly told the publication.
People in Mahumapelo’s camp told the publication that he could accept a ministerial position after the elections, though it was unlikely that Ramaphosa would offer it because of Mahumapelo’s alleged association with an apparent plot to remove him.
Ramaphosa’s mistake was reportedly appointing “lightweight” Job Mokgoro as premier in a time when Mahumapelo was allegedly making a comeback.
“Ramaphosa actually handicapped his lobbyists because they do not have any resources or power,” an “ANC insider” told the publication.
Mahumapelo, his group and North West’s interim leadership reportedly met with ANC leaders at Luthuli House where the party tried to find solutions without involving the courts.
Though he refused to divulge any information regarding the meeting on Tuesday, Mahumapelo told the publication that though he felt it necessary to approach the courts, it was also “uncomfortable” for him, and urged party members to “learn the lessons of revolution and build a better movement going forward”.
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