In the wake of a recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that grappled with internal dissent and the SACP’s plans to contest elections independently, the African National Congress is publicly confronting rumors of a plot to oust its president, Cyril Ramaphosa. ANC Veterans League President Snuki Zikalala has firmly denied any official move to remove Ramaphosa, but revealed the existence of what he termed “dark forces” within the party seeking his early departure.
The controversy has prompted strong statements from the ANC’s leagues, with the Youth League labeling any removal effort a “coup.” This public show of support, analysts suggest, underscores the seriousness with which the party leadership is treating the underlying rumblings.
In an exclusive television interview, Veterans League President Snuki Zikalala sought to downplay the threat while confirming clandestine discussions. “No, there’s none. There’s no such a move is not there,” Zikalala stated. However, he immediately referenced a mysterious letter sent weeks ago regarding a meeting in the Eastern Cape allegedly meant to “remove the leadership,” an event provincial officials denied.
Zikalala confirmed the reality of detractors, describing them as “dark forces.” He revealed a personal interaction with one individual who confessed to being part of a group seeking a “plan B” due to fears that leadership would be implicated in the upcoming Madlanga Commission. “He called me and said… ‘we’re worried that… majority of the leadership we left to go because they’re implicated,’” Zikalala recounted. The individual, however, withdrew the comments and begged not to be named publicly.
The Veterans League president insisted this person was “not high up at all,” denying they were a member of the NEC or Cabinet. When pressed on whether senior figures were backing the effort, Zikalala said, “Well, none, not that I know of.” He asserted that Ramaphosa retains the “full support of the NEC” and that any legitimate challenge must follow constitutional processes through branch structures, not backroom plots.
Zikalala admitted the leagues’ vigorous defenses were a preemptive strike. “We’re not leaving anything to a chance,” he said, arguing the party must project unity and focus on renewal to regain public trust. “Our people don’t trust us anymore because they feel that we are corrupt,” he conceded, but added the party is working to “turn the tide.”
He reported that the issue was not formally raised at this week’s NEC meeting, only that Ramaphosa himself had acknowledged knowing of individuals seeking his removal and dared them to come forward.
When questioned if senior figures might be biding their time to strike at a key forum like next week’s National General Council (NGC), Zikalala was dismissive. “It’s treason if it happens,” he said, adding that such a move at the NGC would lack legitimacy without a mandate from the branches. “No one will take them seriously,” he stated.
The interview concludes with the ANC Veterans League leader maintaining that while discontent exists, the mechanisms to lawfully remove a sitting president are not in motion. The party now moves toward its NGC meeting with the public tension between declared unity and acknowledged “dark forces” set as a key backdrop.