The African National Congress (ANC) has moved to shut down speculation regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s future, with secretary-general Fikile Mbalula clarifying on Friday that the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) did not consider, nor was it asked to consider, a recall of the President.

Addressing the media at Luthuli House following a special NEC meeting in Cape Town, Mbalula stated that Ramaphosa’s resignation was not on the table. 

"The National Executive Committee reaffirmed, in clear and unambiguous terms, its full and continuing support for the President of the African National Congress, Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa, as the leader of this movement and, in that capacity, as the leader of the Government of National Unity," Mbalula said. 

The special NEC meeting was convened following last week’s Constitutional Court judgment, which revived the Phala Phala saga. The court declared that the previous parliamentary process used to shield the President was unconstitutional and ordered Parliament to establish an impeachment committee.  

Despite this, the NEC has thrown its weight behind Ramaphosa.  

Mbalula addressed the judgment with high praise for the judiciary, noting that Chief Justice Mandisa Maya delivered the May 8th judgment with "an even tone and an admirable, teachable temperament that this country can and must learn from." 

"Hers is the leadership of a stateswoman of the law. Hers is the example to which every officer of our courts, every Member of Parliament, every public servant, and indeed every cadre of our movement can aspire," he added.  

Mbalula clarified that Ramaphosa, as a citizen, had the right to a fair hearing and the right to seek a judicial review of the independent Section 89 panel report, a move the President has indicated he will take. 

Mbalula dismissed calls for the President to step aside, emphasising that the party will not vote to impeach its own President.  

Mbalula stated that after receiving and carefully considering the counsel's opinion, the party's national officials have recorded their full support for Ramaphosa's legal strategy. 

"The [Constitutional] Court did not find the President guilty of anything. The Court did not direct that Ramaphosa be removed from office," Mbalula said, clarifying the party's position on the ruling.

"The judgment... is concerned with the procedural conduct of the National Assembly and the rules under which it acted. It is not, in any respect, a finding on the merits of the matter," he explained. 

Mbalula reaffirmed that Ramaphosa would continue to perform his duties as head of State, noting that the Constitutional Court judgment did not interrupt the work of the government. 

"The parliamentary process that the judgment has activated will run its course," Mbalula said, while stressing that the ANC respected the constitutional independence of National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and the programming of the House.

He committed the party to participating constructively in the process. 

Didiza confirmed that Parliament would fully comply with the apex court’s ruling and was initiating the process of establishing an impeachment committee. 

She said the Independent Panel report, which suggested the President may have a case to answer, would be formally referred to this new committee, and a copy would be provided to Ramaphosa to allow him to exercise his legal rights. 

The committee is expected to consist of 31 members drawn from all political parties represented in the National Assembly, with the ANC securing nine seats, followed by the Democratic Alliance, MK Party, and Economic Freedom Fighters. 

While the ANC maintains its support for the President, the parliamentary process mandated by the Constitutional Court will proceed independently.

The ANC indicated that the "impeachment committee is expected to continue its work unless the Section 89 panel report is set aside by the courts".