The ANC’s national working committee meeting is currently taking place in Nasrec, a township south of Johannesburg, and President Cyril Ramaphosa has been excused from attending.
NEC officials in the ANC’s top six, and 20 additional members – namely, David Mabuza, Paul Mashatile, Gwede Mantashe, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Lindiwe Sisulu, Naledi Pandor, Jeff Radebe, Angie Motshekga, Derek Hanekom, Pemmy Majodina, Thoko Didiza, Nomvula Mokonyane, Nathi Mthethwa, Ronald Lamola, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Dakota Legoete, Senzo Mchunu, Zizi Kodwa, Tony Yengeni, Bathabile Dlamini, Gwen Ramokgopa, Barbara Creecy, Thandi Modise, Nonceba Mhaluli, to name but a few.
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They are discussing the independent panel’s report on the “farmgate” scandal in Phala Phala.
Ramaphosa’s body language suggested that he might be under some stress, but before the interview, he cracked a few jokes with the media.
“I have just attended the NWC meeting, and I have been recused since they are going to discuss the panel’s report and, as our own experience, history and tradition, it is always best when the matter affects a person personally (that it) should be discussed in their absence.
“That is precisely what led to my recusal to enable members of the NWC to have a thoroughgoing discussion on the report without my presence so that they can be free to express themselves as openly as possible without any fear or favour,” said Ramaphosa.
President #CyrilRamaphosa has been recused from the #ANC #NWC meeting where the independent panel’s report on #PhalaPhalaFarmgate is being discussed. #PhalaPhala #Farmgate
Video: @nntombi_nkosi / @TheStar_news pic.twitter.com/l9PnXAtxu7— The Star (@TheStar_news) December 4, 2022
He went on to declare his attendance at the Monday meeting of the national executive committee.
He left without providing any additional details about the situation or talking about his health.
“It is up to the NEC, to which I am accountable, to take any further decision. That is all I have to say about this matter,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa was found to have broken his oath of office by handling the break-in and theft of a sizable sum of money in US dollars from his Phala Phala game farm on Wednesday, according to a three-member independent section 89 panel led by retired chief justice Sandile Ngcobo.
Ramaphosa was warned by the section 89 independent panel, that he was not telling the truth when he claimed that only $580,000 (roughly R9.5 million) had been stolen.
The Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association and Carl Niehaus are currently demonstrating outside Nasrec’s Gate 2 and calling for Ramaphosa to resign.
A few people participating in a counter-protest by people claiming to be Ramaphosa supporters interrupted them.