ANC Women's League throws weight behind Ramaphosa amid recall rumours

The African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League has thrown its weight behind President Cyril Ramaphosa amid repeated claims of an alleged plot to recall him from office.

Attempts to oust Ramaphosa have allegedly gained traction in the party as some disgruntled party members rally for his removal.

While Ramaphosa is said to have challenged his critics at an ANC gathering in November, the women’s league said there are murmurs that some ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) members are likely to regroup for another coup attempt this week.

The ANC Women’s League said it's alarming that some within the party have disregarded established organisational protocols to raise any discontent arising from the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Secretary-General of the ANC Women’s League Nokuthula Nqaba said claims of Ramaphosa’s underperformance in office are misplaced, citing what the organisation believes are successes in governance.

This includes the fight against corruption, classifying gender-based violence and femicide as a national crisis and successfully chairing the G20 presidency.

Nqaba said the NEC meeting set for this week cannot remove a sitting president of the ANC but only the National General Council (NGC) and an Elective National Conference (ENC) can make that determination.

The party’s NGC takes place in a week’s time, although the ANC’s engine room has already said the NGC won’t be used for factional battles.