ANC’s own ‘Game of Thrones’
Magashule’s and Ramaphosa’s battle for the throne
IN THE battle to consolidate power, cement your place, and sit on the throne at Luthuli House, you either fight to win, or die – there is no middle ground, no retreat and no surrender.
This, according to analysts, is the motive behind the recent battle between two prominent leaders of the ANC, Secretary-General Ace Magashule and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
South Africa is still recovering from shock and confusion after the ruling party’s leadership slapped each other with suspension letters emanating from the “step-aside” resolution – which was executed by the ANC National Working Committee at the request of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) on Tuesday.
Magashule was suspended for refusing to comply with the step-aside resolution after the 30-day consultation process had expired. He faces criminal charges for his alleged involvement in fraud and corruption relating to a R255 million asbestos project in the Free State under his watch as premier.
He retaliated against his suspension, appealing against it and subsequently made it known that he had, on Tuesday before his suspension came into effect, summarily suspended Ramaphosa with immediate effect for reportedly being involved in corrupt activities and facing investigation.
It is alleged that Ramaphosa’s “suspension” was kept under wraps by some NWC members in an attempt to cover up and protect the party’s president, who stands accused of buying votes and interfering with operations at Eskom.
Analysts have likened the developments to the television series Game of Thrones, stating that in the ANC’s recent dealings from Thabo Mbeki to Jacob
Zuma, Ramaphosa to Magashule, “you go into a battle aiming to win or die”.
Political analyst Xolani Dube said that this was no fight against corruption, but a battle a for power that would destroy people’s hopes.
He added that evidence presented by former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) chief executive Lucky Montana indicated that corruption was not about individuals, but was a systemic issue within the ANC as a whole.
“Corruption has been there and will continue. What we’re seeing now is a fight for the resources of the party. We must not be hypnotised. There are many others charged who are still serving as ministers,” said Dube.
Professor Tumi Senokoane said he had doubts as to whether the ANC would survive this upheaval, arguing that the suspension and charges against a high-profile leader would cripple the party.
“There is a risk that branches will apply the same method and suspend opponents. Suspension and counter-suspensions would lead to the demise of the party. The ANC may collapse and fall below 40% in the next general elections,” Senokoane asserted.
Political analyst Professor Sipho
Seepe said the step-aside resolution may have been well intended, but had now been mischievously embraced as a tool to deal with opponents.
He said it was possible that the triumphalist group, which seemed to be led by those who were financially endowed, had been co-opted to finally destroy the organisation.
In an interview broadcast on CNN on Wednesday, NEC member Minister Naledi Pandor said that a number of ANC leaders have been charged, and it was her hope that those who were guilty would be jailed.
She added that Ramaphosa was resolute about tackling corruption. What she did not clarify was whether the president would be subjected to the same scrutiny as there are allegations of corruption against him.
Magashule’s assertion that he had the power to suspend Ramaphosa will come under close scrutiny at the party’s watershed NEC this weekend.
The NEC is also due to finalise its lists of people to be placed on suspension, following an allegedly increasing number of people who are defying the party.
Magashule is not expected to be part of the three-day meeting, which begins today.