Malema says removal of Ramaphosa as ANC leader will collapse GNU
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says the Government of National Unity (GNU) will collapse after president Cyril Ramaphosa is removed as African National Congress (ANC) leader.
The ANC last held an elective conference in December 2022 where Ramaphosa was elected as party leader for the second time and the party also reviewed some of its policies.
MALEMA CONVINCED THE GNU WILL COLLAPSE
As per the 29 May elections result, support for the ANC declined to just 40%. As a result, the party formed a GNU with the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, and eight other parties. Notably, the EFF and the Jacob Zuma-led uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party are not part of the GNU.
Following the announcement of the national executive which has increased to 75, the EFF said it is concerning that the cabinet has been increased and bloated, signalling more pressure on taxpayers.
The party said Ramaphosa’s announcement confirmed that the ANC has abandoned its historical role as a liberation movement in Africa and has solidified its role as an instrument of white supremacy and domestic and global capital on the continent.
“By gifting the DA six ministerial posts and six deputy ministerial roles, on top of the position of Deputy Speaker of Parliament, the ANC has surpassed the compromises they made in 1994.
“The rest of the so-called GNU members have been rendered glorified spectators, who legitimise the pact the ANC has entered into with racists and their mandate political agenda, which comes from the Oppenheimers and Ruperts,” EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said.
On Thursday, ahead of the opening of Parliament address Malema said the GNU will not last long and will possibly last for a maximum of two years because Ramaphosa will be removed when the ANC holds its elective conference.
“Remember the DA said they are prepared to work with the ANC of Cyril Ramaphosa. So, the ANC conference will remove Cyril Ramaphosa whether he likes it or not. It’s his second term, he’s not coming back. They are most likely to survive a year but after the ANC conference they will not succeed,” the EFF leader said.
PRESIDENT OUTLINES GNU CABINET’S KEY FOCUS AREAS
On Thursday, Ramaphosa delivered his opening of Parliament address in a joint sitting in Cape Town.
The president said the 10 GNU parties have resolved to dedicate the next five years to actions that will advance three strategic priorities.
These include driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
Ramaphosa believes that a robust and inclusive strategy to alleviate poverty is essential to safeguard and assist the most vulnerable in society.
“Even at a time when many companies are making large profits, millions of South Africans are suffering as a result of rising prices,” he said.