The ANC responds to Dlamini Zuma's call for Ramaphosa to step down amid the Phala Phala saga: 'She does not speak for the party'

While there was nothing wrong with members of the ANC’s National Executive Committee speaking on the findings of the Phala Phala report, according to Pule Mabe, their views did not represent those of the ANC.

He was speaking to eNCA after Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down in an interview on Wednesday night.

Dlamini Zuma’s call comes as pressure mounts on Ramaphosa to resign or face impeachment after the panel report found a prima facie case that he may have violated several sections of the country’s revered and sacred Constitution in dealing with the Phala Phala matter, which dates back to February 2020.

In its report released on Wednesday, the Section 89 independent panel investigating the Phala Phala farm scandal found prima facie evidence of serious misconduct against Ramaphosa regarding the foreign currency held at his property.

Mabe told eNCA on Thursday that each member of the NEC has their own point of view.

“It’s a democratic space,” he said.

He added that members would be able to formally express their opinions at the NEC meeting later on Thursday.

Dlamini Zuma, according to Mabe, is not the party’s spokesperson.

“Not all NEC members speak on behalf of the NEC. There is only one person who speaks formally and officially on behalf of the of ANC.

“That is written in the protocols. When members of the NEC express themselves outside of the NEC, not mandated by the NEC, they are expressing their own views,” he said.

Mabe stated that it was not his responsibility to weigh the opinions of individual NEC members.

He also stated that the NEC’s stance on the report’s release would be made public following a special virtual meeting of the committee.