Developing story: reports that Cyril Ramaphosa offered to step down as ANC president have not been confirmed. Ramaphosa called them "preposterous" on Monday, and ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the president was "not going anywhere".

Former president Thabo Mbeki says Cyril Ramaphosa would be taking "the correct position" if reports that he offered to resign as ANC president are accurate, and suggests the rest of the party's leadership should do the same. The ANC Youth League has pushed back, saying Ramaphosa inherited the party's problems.

What Mbeki said

In an interview reported this week, Mbeki said the party's leaders were at fault for the ANC's local election result. "How do you continue to lead if you are responsible for a catastrophe?" he asked. He added: "Normally, in a major democracy, when you have a disaster like that, the leader resigns and takes responsibility."

On Ramaphosa's record between 2018 and 2026, Mbeki said: "There is nothing; there are a lot of negatives."

The ANC's response

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji called Mbeki's statement "unfortunate" and said the party's "old guard", including Mbeki, had contributed to its problems. "The ANC brand started eroding under their leadership," he said. He also said: "We agree that accountability must happen."

League secretary-general Tsakani Shiviti said "the president has played his part" and that "he has inherited a lot of problems", including state capture and COVID-19. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party "does not engage with its leaders through the media".

Others weigh in

Trade unionist Zwelinzima Vavi said that if leaders loved the ANC they should resign and "allow a new leadership, untainted by this mess". Former ANC leader Mbhazima Shilowa called for the party's national, provincial and regional executive structures to be replaced with interim bodies.

Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela said Mbeki's argument was correct in principle, but that the leadership would not resign, calling the idea "wishful thinking on the part of the former president".

What we do not yet know

  • Whether Ramaphosa offered to resign. The reports rely on unnamed sources and have been denied.
  • When and where Mbeki spoke. Reports describe both an interview and a statement.
  • What the ANC's national executive committee decides. It is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss its coalition approach.