Photo: LUCA SOLA / AFP
Photo: LUCA SOLA / AFP
A collective of prominent ANC members at a provincial level is now pressing the party’s hierarchy to take ‘disciplinary action’ against Cyril Ramaphosa – accusing the president of ‘benefitting illegally’ from CR17 campaign funds.
Why are ANC members pushing to discipline Cyril Ramaphosa?
President Ramaphosa has faced plenty of criticism for the way he secured funding to run for the ANC leadership role in 2017, in a race that ultimately saw him defeat Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma for the top job. However, the CR17 funding drive has been mired in controversy – and details about his financial backers have been kept a secret.
The ANC members baying for sanctions believe that the manner of victory for Ramaphosa four years ago was ‘irregular’, and group leader Onica Maphisa believes there is now a ‘legitimacy crisis’ at the very top of the party. At the very least, Maphisa and her comrades believe that the 68-year-old head of state must answer to his peers:
#CR17campaign | Maphisa: Having received our application, the ANC is now obliged to conduct a disciplinary process to determine whether Ramaphosa is indeed guilty of the carefully considered charges brought against him.
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) October 4, 2021
CR17 issues continue to haunt the president
Of course, this does serve as an unwelcome distraction for most of the ANC: They head into the 2021 Local Elections with a point to prove, as early polling suggests that national support for the 109-year-old organisation is waning.
The ANC has failed to resolve its factional battles, and those who are gunning for Cyril remain reliant on the secrecy surrounding the CR17 donors. According to Maphisa, Ramaphosa may have acted illegally to win the vote at Nasrec.
“Ramaphosa’s move to obtain private funding in the buildup to the Nasrec Conference was extraordinary and alien. He used the campaign to advance his personal presidential ambitions – sending the party into a legitimacy crisis.”
“We have filed an application to the office of the SG to effect disciplinary action against Ramaphosa for his intention to influence the outcomes of the 54th conference. The ANC must be crystal clear that no member may use his or her position to advantage oneself for personal gain, or use money to influence the outcome of ANC processes.”
“We have been ignored for too long. Having received our application, the ANC is now obliged to conduct a disciplinary process to determine whether Ramaphosa is indeed guilty of the carefully considered charges brought against him.”
