The African National Congress National Executive Committee endorsed President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to remain in office and review the Phala Phala report.
This endorsement comes as the party seeks to maintain stability and continuity of the reform agenda following a Constitutional Court ruling that upheld the Section 89 report. The decision is critical because it determines whether the president will face internal pressure to resign amid ongoing legal and political scrutiny.
The NEC backed Ramaphosa's address to the nation and his decision not to step down [1, 2]. The Section 89 report, commonly known as the Phala Phala report, was released four years ago [1].
President Cyril Ramaphosa said it was up to the governing party’s National Executive Committee to decide his future [3]. Party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the president needed to address the nation on the way forward and where he stands [4].
During high-level discussions, senior advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi advised ANC officials, including the chief whip [5]. These meetings took place at the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg to reassure both the party and the public [1].
While the NEC leadership presents a unified front, reports indicate that the party is not entirely cohesive. Some ANC members remain divided over the president's decision to stay after the court ruling [2, 6]. This internal friction suggests a gap between the official party line and the views of the broader membership.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa said it was up to the governing party’s National Executive Committee to decide his future.”
The ANC's decision to back Ramaphosa prevents an immediate leadership vacuum but leaves the party vulnerable to internal dissent. By opting for a review of the report rather than a resignation, the president is betting that institutional support from the NEC will outweigh the political cost of the court's findings.
