Since the whole imbriglio surrounding President Cyril Ramaphosa started after the section 89 report was released, he had not spoken to the media, instead he was communicating through his office, however, the president has spoken to journalists just outside the venue, where the ANC national working committee is sitting this afternoon.
Ramaphosa, who allegedly snubbed last Friday’s special NEC meeting had come to attend the NWC, which is expected to process the section 89 report, but he was quoted by the Cape Times as saying that he was recused from the meeting, because it directly affects him and he is not supposed to be there.
“I have just attended a meeting of the national working committee, and I have been recused from the meeting because they are going to discuss the panel’s report, and as per our own experience, tradition and history, it is always better when a matter that is affecting a person personally, should be discussed in their absence, therefore, this has led to my recusal,” Ramaphosa said.
The president’s decision to snub the previous NEC meeting was premised on this principle, that the matter affecting him could not be properly dealt with in his presence, as it would present a conflict of interest.
He will, of course, hope that his allies in the NWC would not accede to calls from his political opponents to resign, rather they will fight, and even take the fight to the NEC tomorrow, where the report is going to be tabled for debate.
Judging by his posture, the president does not seem worried, or pertubed by the unfolding developments, which is why, it is one’s conviction that he would most likely survive the calls for his resignation.
Whatever transpires at the NEC meeting tomorrow will undoubtedly affect what the ANC caucus is expected to do when parliament meets on Tuesday to decide whether or not to begin impeachment proceedings against him.
23