‘Mbeki not an ANC super leader’ – NEC meeting told

Tensions flared inside the ANC’s special national executive committee (NEC) meeting this week after deputy international relations minister Thandi Moraka allegedly criticised former president Thabo Mbeki for publicly weighing in on the Phala Phala saga, insiders told Sunday World.

Multiple sources who attended the closed-door meeting in Cape Town said Moraka accused Mbeki of posturing as a “super leader” whose views were treated as “alpha and omega” within sections of the ANC.

According to insiders, Moraka, regarded within ANC circles as closely aligned to President Cyril Ramaphosa, raised concern about senior veterans publicly commenting on sensitive internal matters instead of engaging party structures directly.

The matter arose during discussions around the ANC’s communication strategy following last week’s Constitutional Court judgment ordering Parliament to establish an impeachment inquiry process linked to the Phala Phala scandal.

Mbeki has been openly critical of the ANC’s handling of the matter since 2022. In early 2023, he wrote to ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile questioning the party’s decision to use its parliamentary majority to block adoption of the Section 89 panel report into Ramaphosa.

Although Mbeki has attended recent NEC meetings in his ex-officio capacity as a former ANC president, he did not attend Wednesday’s special sitting in Cape Town. However, his foundation earlier this week republished the 2023 letter he wrote to Mashatile, reigniting internal debate within ANC ranks over the party’s handling of Phala Phala.

Another senior ANC figure said Moraka’s comments did not necessarily reflect the broader mood within the NEC.

“To be fair to her, the discussion was happening in the context of a broader agreement that the ANC must communicate with one voice on Phala Phala.”

Insiders said Nkhensani Kubayi later cautioned against mentioning leaders who were not present in the meeting to defend themselves.

ANC Limpopo secretary Reuben Madadzhe is also said to have stressed the need for coordinated messaging within the party during a politically sensitive period ahead of elections.

According to sources, Madadzhe raised concern about ANC leaders publicly communicating conflicting messages on Phala Phala, allegedly citing an interview by ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe broadcast hours before Ramaphosa’s national address on Monday evening.

“It may have appeared that he was backing Thandi, but his point was broader,” another insider said. “He was emphasising the need for coordinated communication so the ANC does not confuse voters.”

The issue of veterans publicly criticising the ANC was further amplified this week after former National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula criticised Ramaphosa and ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula during an appearance on the Afrika Renaissance podcast hosted by former EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

Speaking at Luthuli House on Friday, Mbalula appeared to indirectly reference frustrations discussed during the NEC meeting. “When this behaviour has become very common these days, we don’t know whether it is because of the gap in leadership track record that those who came before us think they can say anything, anyhow, anytime, to the total disregard of the party,” said Mbalula.

“The office of the secretary-general is not in the practice of confirming or denying every reflection a comrade may share on a podcast,” he said.

“Our teachings in the organisation are that you approach the ANC first. That is what a principled leader does.”

The Mbeki Foundation and ANC declined to comment. While Moraka did not respond to questions sent to her.

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Mawande Amashabalala