Internal strife in ANC following Mbalula's announcement of former Deputy President's death
Image: X/@FikileMbalula
The ANC is grappling with an internal controversy after Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula 'deliberately and prematurely" announced the death of former Deputy President David Mabuza, sparking widespread criticism and calls for him to take responsibility for his actions.
According to ANC insiders, President Cyril Ramaphosa was "very angry" after Mbalula took to social media to announce Mabuza's death ahead of the president's official announcement.
Ramaphosa had delayed announcing the death because he had been waiting to express his condolences to Mabuza's family before informing the nation.
Mabuza died at a Sandton hospital on Thursday, after a short illness.
Sources claim that Ramaphosa's frustration stems from Mbalula's breach of protocol, which is seen as a sign of disrespect to the president and the party.
"The president was waiting for the family to arrive before making the announcement, and Mbalula's actions were seen as a disregard for the family's grief," a source said.
Senior members of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) are now calling for Mbalula to explain himself and take responsibility for his actions.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Sources further suggest that Mbalula's actions were deliberate, driven by his presidential ambitions ahead of the 2027 ANC elective conference.
"We all know that Comrade Fikile has ambitions to become the next president," a source said.
"Making that announcement on Thursday was deliberate to show his backers that he had power. Rank and file within the party know that it's the president who makes these announcements, not the party."
Mbalula's phone rang unanswered on Sunday.
However, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu has defended Mbalula, saying that his post was a "compassionate" and personal reflection, not an official statement.
"The Secretary-General's earlier social media post was a humane and compassionate reflection during a moment of collective grief, when the nation was already widely informed by media platforms," Bhengu said.
She said the suggestion that Mbalula announced the passing of the late former Deputy President was far from the truth.
'It is misleading reporting by journalists who are bound by industry ethics to report objectively and factually,' she said.
Former deputy president David Mabuza died, aged 64.
Image: X
Meanwhile Mabuza's family has confirmed that his funeral is scheduled for next Saturday, July 12, 2025.
Friends and political associates have gathered at the Mabuza residence to offer support to the grieving family, who are still coming to terms with his sudden passing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
The arrogance of terrorism needs to be condemned
L Oosthuizen | Published 46 minutes ago As sympathy is demanded for the Palestinians by the likes of E Essa and Alaa Nassar, I fail to understand how, when Hamas attacks Israel at a music festival, any sane person would demand such undeserved grace for the people of Gaza. Israel gave the Gazans multiple chances before for the acceptance of democratic autonomy, but they blew it by electing the bloodthirsty Hamas Neanderthals who would act as proxies for the IRGC. It is well documented that since 1979, the Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, always had one agenda in mind: suppression of his people, especially the women, and the destruction of Israel and so-called Zionism. I am sorry, but reading some of the disturbing doctrine written by the Islamic government of Iran, involving young babies and the overall treatment of women, regarding sex-related dos and don'ts, shocked me to my core! It is no wonder that this ideology is causing so much havoc around the globe! This government cannot even honour its people! It is much like the ANC of South Africa! It doesn't hesitate to oppress. It only seeks its ideological advancements. It thrives on the demise of its people. It forges ahead with reckless abandon. You only need to consider the ICJ case brought forward by none other than self-proclaimed Islamist, Naledi Pandor! What we see happening now in the UK, with so many Islamic ministers taking charge, is a full-on assault on Western civilisation. The recent success of Zohran Mamdani in New York sends shivers down the spines of freedom-loving Americans, and so it should! Trump calls Mamdani a '100% Communist lunatic", and I am not surprised! Radical Islam, coupled with ongoing terror attacks on innocent civilians, should be a serious wake-up call to all who love freedom. The longer we sympathise with false pro-Palestine propaganda, the further away we will find ourselves from the truth! Terror acts committed by the Proxies of Iran should be called out for exactly what it is: terrorism! We must stop fooling ourselves by trying to sympathise with a people who have little or nothing to do with South African people! The mere fact that there are rumblings about the ANC having been compensated by either Iran or Qatar for taking Israel to court leaves a very bad taste in our mouths! Not to mention the changing of a street name in Sandton to some terrorist who is only celebrated by those who value acts of terror. When are we going to learn that siding with terror and hiding behind the mask of a cause so falsified by socialist and Marxist tendencies only brings us pain and division? The ANC couldn't care less about Palestinians, but for the sake of its relationship with Iran's terror axis, it will pretend to care for as long as it benefits the status quo. There has always been a golden thread running through and connecting nefarious characters through Marxist, socialist, and communist values. The ANC and Iran are no exception! It doesn't mean you have to blow up a building to be a terrorist, but if you are happy, as a government, to continually oppress and socially divide your citizens according to either a racist or Apartheid-driven agenda, in my opinion, you are a Dystopian, Draconian empire! Be careful of those who accuse you of Apartheid crimes, for too often, the accuser poses as the accused, and the oppressor poses as the oppressed. Is this what we are seeing with the pro-Palestine mobs who reside in South Africa? Do you feel any better displaying your red, black, white and green sticker on the back of your Fortuner, as you speed arrogantly passed several respectful road users? I have news for all those who chant death to the Jews, and disguise it as 'Free Free Palestine'- your time is running out, and the chickens for Justice are coming home to roost! The recent strength shown by Trump and the IDF was a warning to Draconian Radicalised governments that we won't give up the fight against terror just yet! I may not be a Jew, nor am I a Zionist, but I still know the difference between right and difference between propaganda and difference between truth and lies. I refuse to accept this narrative of Israel committing a 'Genocide', as what we saw on October 7th, 2023, was a mini Genocide, funded by Iran and backed up by ANC support! Enough is enough! Let's fix SA before we say anything further about 'Freeing Palestine" L Oosthuizen Durban
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
The arrogance of terrorism needs to be condemned
Protesters calling for an end to genocide in Gaza. Image: File As sympathy is demanded for the Palestinians by the likes of E Essa and Alaa Nassar, I fail to understand how, when Hamas attacks Israel at a music festival, any sane person would demand such undeserved grace for the people of Gaza. Israel gave the Gazans multiple chances before for the acceptance of democratic autonomy, but they blew it by electing the bloodthirsty Hamas Neanderthals who would act as proxies for the IRGC. It is well documented that since 1979, the Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, always had one agenda in mind: suppression of his people, especially the women, and the destruction of Israel and so-called Zionism. I am sorry, but reading some of the disturbing doctrine written by the Islamic government of Iran, involving young babies and the overall treatment of women, regarding sex-related dos and don'ts, shocked me to my core! It is no wonder that this ideology is causing so much havoc around the globe! This government cannot even honour its people! It is much like the ANC of South Africa! It doesn't hesitate to oppress. It only seeks its ideological advancements. It thrives on the demise of its people. It forges ahead with reckless abandon. You only need to consider the ICJ case brought forward by none other than self-proclaimed Islamist, Naledi Pandor! What we see happening now in the UK, with so many Islamic ministers taking charge, is a full-on assault on Western civilisation. The recent success of Zohran Mamdani in New York sends shivers down the spines of freedom-loving Americans, and so it should! Trump calls Mamdani a '100% Communist lunatic", and I am not surprised! Radical Islam, coupled with ongoing terror attacks on innocent civilians, should be a serious wake-up call to all who love freedom. The longer we sympathise with false pro-Palestine propaganda, the further away we will find ourselves from the truth! Terror acts committed by the Proxies of Iran should be called out for exactly what it is: terrorism! We must stop fooling ourselves by trying to sympathise with a people who have little or nothing to do with South African people! Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The mere fact that there are rumblings about the ANC having been compensated by either Iran or Qatar for taking Israel to court leaves a very bad taste in our mouths! Not to mention the changing of a street name in Sandton to some terrorist who is only celebrated by those who value acts of terror. When are we going to learn that siding with terror and hiding behind the mask of a cause so falsified by socialist and Marxist tendencies only brings us pain and division? The ANC couldn't care less about Palestinians, but for the sake of its relationship with Iran's terror axis, it will pretend to care for as long as it benefits the status quo. There has always been a golden thread running through and connecting nefarious characters through Marxist, socialist, and communist values. The ANC and Iran are no exception! It doesn't mean you have to blow up a building to be a terrorist, but if you are happy, as a government, to continually oppress and socially divide your citizens according to either a racist or Apartheid-driven agenda, in my opinion, you are a Dystopian, Draconian empire! Be careful of those who accuse you of Apartheid crimes, for too often, the accuser poses as the accused, and the oppressor poses as the oppressed. Is this what we are seeing with the pro-Palestine mobs who reside in South Africa? Do you feel any better displaying your red, black, white and green sticker on the back of your Fortuner, as you speed arrogantly passed several respectful road users? I have news for all those who chant death to the Jews, and disguise it as 'Free Free Palestine'- your time is running out, and the chickens for Justice are coming home to roost! The recent strength shown by Trump and the IDF was a warning to Draconian Radicalised governments that we won't give up the fight against terror just yet! I may not be a Jew, nor am I a Zionist, but I still know the difference between right and difference between propaganda and difference between truth and lies. I refuse to accept this narrative of Israel committing a 'Genocide', as what we saw on October 7th, 2023, was a mini Genocide, funded by Iran and backed up by ANC support! Enough is enough! Let's fix SA before we say anything further about 'Freeing Palestine" L Oosthuizen Durban
The South African
13 hours ago
- The South African
Former Deputy President David Mabuza laid to rest
Beneath an unseasonably warm winter sun, the rolling hills of Mpumalanga stood as silent witness as South Africa bid a final farewell to former Deputy President David 'DD' Mabuza on Saturday. Mabuza passed away last week at the age of 64, following a short illness. He was buried at a family burial site in Barberton, Mpumalanga. Delivering the eulogy at Mabuza's funeral service, President Cyril Ramaphosa described the day as a moment of sombre reflection. 'We are gathered here today in solemn remembrance to honour the life of a man who, in many ways, made a huge contribution to our journey to a democratic South Africa. We are also here to celebrate the life of a fine son of Mpumalanga and a man of the people. 'It is as a servant of the people for which our departed leader and comrade David Dabede Mabuza will be best known and for which he will be forever remembered. David Mabuza, DD, as he was fondly known, was a revered leader not only in his home province of Mpumalanga but throughout the country as well,' he said. The Mpumalanga-born politician – affectionately referred to as 'DD' or 'The Cat' – was a teacher by training. However, he was drawn into political activism and, subsequently, the public service. Mabuza's journey into the public service began in 1994 in Mpumalanga, where he served as a Member of the Executive Council in several portfolios. He then served as the Premier of Mpumalanga from 2009 until he became a Member of Parliament and then Deputy President in 2018. 'He served as our country's Deputy President, as Premier of Mpumalanga and as the Deputy President of his movement, the African National Congress (ANC). 'When he served as a Member of Parliament and as the Leader of Government Business, he proved to be a renowned political strategist, always deftly navigating the very difficult balance amongst parliamentary parties. 'In all his roles, he was often described as strategic, enigmatic and fiercely loyal to the cause of stability and unity,' President Ramaphosa said. As President Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy, a multitude of citizens lined the streets of Mbombela – forming a guard of honour for the former Deputy President as he was taken to his final resting place among the people of Mpumalanga. 'He was most happy when he was among the people. He never isolated himself from them. He never lost the common touch. 'Since the news came of his passing, we have seen throngs of ordinary citizens, traditional leaders and political leaders from across the spectrum flocking to DD's home in Barberton to pay their respects. Such was his popularity. Such was his ability to unite the people of this province. 'He was not a man for the pomp and ceremony of high office. He preferred to be on the ground with the masses of our people, listening to their concerns and working to improve their lives,' President Ramaphosa noted. He highlighted that Mabuza leaves a legacy of 'being quick to respond to matters of service delivery'. 'Over the past days, we have heard from a number of young citizens of Mpumalanga, who have described him as a father of the community, who helped bring development to many rural parts of Mpumalanga. 'Today in this province, there are families who now live in decent homes because during door-to-door campaigns, DD intervened on the spot and at some point, dug into his own pockets to meet their needs. Those houses were not built after years of follow-up meetings. They were erected within months because he was not one to make empty promises,' he said. President Ramaphosa reflected on the five years he and Mabuza spent as President and Deputy President of South Africa. '[During] this time, I came to know him as a person who understood the responsibility that he had been given. He was dependable, reliable and an excellent deputy. 'As Leader of Government Business in Parliament, he worked to ensure that the will of the people was reflected in the laws of the land and in the programmes of the state. 'In all his responsibilities as Deputy President, from land reform to HIV and AIDS, from anti-poverty initiatives to addressing the needs of veterans, David Mabuza could always be relied on. We will always remember him as a unifier,' he said. The President offered words of solace and comfort to the family and gave a final word to the departed man himself. 'You walked the path not always lit, through the dust of doubt, you did commit. I worked with you and saw your commitment. Your voice was not loud, but it was firm and still. You were able to shape the course with quiet will. 'I saw you bear the weight of province and land, with measured step and steady hand. Though storms did gather, and winds did sway, you held the centre night and day. Now rest, my brother, brave son of the African soil. Your work is done and complete. The country remembers you,' President Ramaphosa concluded. Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
