Cyril Ramaphosa Offers Resignation After ANC Election Collapse

President Cyril Ramaphosa offered to resign as leader of the African National Congress (ANC) following a catastrophic disaster in the November 2026 local government elections. The party suffered significant losses, losing majorities in eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay, and all metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng.

Ramaphosa proposed that the party's top seven national officials also vacate their posts to ensure accountability for two consecutive election defeats. He warned that he would resign alone if the other officials did not support the collective move. However, senior leaders including Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Second Deputy Secretary-General Maropene Ramokgopa rejected the proposal. Ramokgopa suggested holding an early national conference in April instead of immediate resignations.

Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula dismissed the notion of a fall guy, emphasizing collective responsibility and the party's role in leading the Government of National Unity (GNU). While some party insiders warned that Ramaphosa's departure could cause the GNU to collapse, Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters argued that the ANC should remove Ramaphosa if coalition partners demand it to resolve the current political crisis.