South Africa’s ruling party, African National Congress (ANC), on Friday, launched a conference that will eventually elect the party leader.
President Cyril Ramaphosa looks set to be re-elected as its leader, despite a Phala Phala Farm cash-heist scandal.
Ramaphosa is bidding to retain the reins of the ANC as the party struggles with rifts and declining support after 28 years in power.
Ramaphosa, portraying himself as a graft-busting champion, took control of the ANC in 2017 after his boss Jacob Zuma became mired in corruption affairs.
The party’s majority in parliament means that it also approves the national president.
But Ramaphosa’s clean-hands image has been dented by allegations he concealed a huge cash burglary at his farm rather than report the matter to the authorities.
Despite this, analysts say the 70-year-old leader remains on track to win the party leadership election, set to take place among delegates on Saturday. Said political writer Ralph Mathekga:
The ANC needs Ramaphosa. He will win.
Even those who hate him need him to win.
A victory would secure him a ticket to a fresh term as president after the 2024 elections if his party wins that vote.
Ramaphosa won a reprieve ahead of the conference when the ANC used its majority in parliament to block a possible impeachment inquiry.
This is despite that presidential aspirant, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, voted in favour of the adoption of the report.
He is leading the list of only two nominated presidential candidates so far and is seen to be the most viable in the absence of better options in the 110-year-old party.
The former trade union leader led the historic negotiations to end apartheid and helped draft the country’s constitution, hailed as one of Africa’s most progressive charters.
His rival is his former health minister Zweli Mkhize, who has corruption allegations linked to COVID-19 funds hanging over his head.
The venerable party was shaped by Nelson Mandela into the main weapon that ended apartheid.
But its image today is stained by corruption and factionalism.