South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed rumours of his possible resignation following the release of the final results of the local government elections on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
Also see: Cyril Ramaphosa’s smart city promise: Where does the project stand?
Cyril Ramaphosa addresses ‘preposterous’ resignation claim
Seen speaking to eNCA, the president dismissed the claims, confused as to where they came from.
“I do not know where these rumours are coming from. I mean, whoever came up with a rumour like that is preposterous,” he said.
The results revealed the ANC’s devastating loss of five metropolitan areas, with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party winning eThekwini, while the Democratic Alliance took up a chunk of the support in Nelson Mandela Bay, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane.
Sunday Times originally reported the claim, which said that at least five unnamed NEC members claimed Ramaphosa suggested he should step down, allegedly arguing the party could not suffer two successive election defeats under his leadership without consequence.
However, in his own words, when asked about the devastating results of the elections, he accepted with humility.
“Concerning it might be, we accept that this is how the people of South Africa in our towns, our cities, in our metros have spoken. And this is their verdict. And we accept it with humility,” the president shared.
Also see: President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks on impact of country’s growing violence
Fikile Mbalula weighs in
The Secretary-General of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, also maintains that there is no such consideration by the president, further describing the option of stepping down as tantamount to running away.
“The President is not going anywhere, and there is no such consideration in the African National Congress of the President stepping down. We are going to the NEC to get a report, which we are working on now, which we are characterising as a doctrine that will guide us to respond to the moment,” Mbalula assured.
WATCH| ANC Secretary- General Fikile Mbalula says President Cyril Ramaphosa is not going to resign. #LGE2026Results https://t.co/B7C0NpMVzn
— Queenin Masuabi (@Queenin_M) November 8, 2026
Featured image: X/@GovernemntZA
Also see: Cyril Ramaphosa considers additional fuel relief after R24bn subsidy
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!
