The African National Congress (ANC) has refuted claims that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering resigning after the party’s disappointing performance in the 2026 local government elections. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu dismissed the reports as false, stating that neither Ramaphosa nor the party’s leadership is currently under pressure to step down.
The ANC has been experiencing a decline in voter support, having lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 general elections with approximately 40% of the vote. This downward trend continued as the party’s support further dwindled to about 30.75% during the recent local government elections.
As the ANC prepares for its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Bhengu emphasized that the election results necessitate a thorough evaluation by the party’s leadership. She commended President Ramaphosa for his efforts during the campaign, noting his extensive nationwide visits and leadership throughout the election period.
Bhengu mentioned that discussions regarding potential leadership changes or collective resignations might be part of the forthcoming election assessment. However, she clarified that the primary focus of the NEC meeting would be to establish a mandate for the party’s negotiators moving forward.