Political analyst Moeletsi Mbeki has sharply criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa, describing him as a weak leader who has failed to maintain control over the ANC, arguing that this has resulted in a fragmented government where conflicting voices undermine unity.
Mbeki shared his views during a revealing interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh on the SMWX podcast this past weekend.
In the conversation, Mbeki emphasised that Ramaphosa's inability to rein in his party has allowed ministers to openly contradict government policy.
“At the top level of the ANC and the top level of the Cabinet, there’s lack of control,” he said.
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He specifically pointed to Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, who has repeatedly contradicted the government’s stance, illustrating the growing dysfunction within the administration.
“I think President Ramaphosa has been a very weak president for the ANC. He’s not been able, first to control his own party. He’s not really controlling the ANC.
“He is not controlling his Cabinet which is why ministers say all sorts of things, Gwede Mantashe says one thing, the government decides we need to do something about green energy… He says he’s going to keep burning coal and he is still a minister contradicting what the government is saying,” he said.
According to Mbeki, Ramaphosa was not in the ANC’s inner circle where he could call the shots anytime.
“I think he sees himself as weak in the scheme of things. You know the ANC has its inner circles, so he feels he is not part of the inner circle, so he hasn’t got the muscle to enforce the ANC’s own decisions because they have to be enforced.
The ANC is leading the Government of National Unity (GNU) which includes about 10 political parties.
This was formed after the ANC failed to win the 2024 national and provincial elections.
Mbeki said Ramaphosa’s inability to organise his party could be now seen in the GNU.
Another example he made was about how the Democratic Alliance (DA) ministers would speak about how they as individuals were working instead of praising teamwork in cabinet.
“You can see DA ministers talking about their work, but they are part of Ramaphosa’s cabinet. They should be speaking about what the cabinet is doing but because they feel nobody stops them from representing the DA,” he said.
“I was listening to Public Works person [Minister Dean Macpherson] praising himself about doing this as a DA minister.”
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