World spotlight on ANC plot to overthrow Ramaphosa – FT

EDINBURGH — International investors have been watching developments in South Africa closely following revelations that global banks facilitated money laundering on an industrial scale for the Gupta and Zuma families and friends. Cyril Ramaphosa has been courting the media, too, since he became President early this year. He has granted interviews to journalists elsewhere in the world and instructed his spin doctors to place an opinion piece in the London-headquartered Financial Times. It is therefore not surprising that it hasn't taken long for word to get out that there is a plot to unseat Ramaphosa. The FT reports on the details, noting that President Ramaphosa has sent out a warning to his ANC enemies. – Jackie Cameron.By Thulasizwe Sithole.Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa's president, lashed out at enemies linked to his deposed predecessor Jacob Zuma for plotting in "dark corners" of the ruling African National Congress to oust him, reports the Financial Times..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.Ramaphosa told trade union supporters on Monday that "machinations of weakening the ANC" must end, in a veiled swipe at Mr Zuma, whose corruption-hit presidency he replaced earlier this year, the global business newspaper has told its readers.."Those who are engaging in acts to disunite our people and divide our people must be exposed … if you are working to divide the ANC, tell us what your agenda is," said Ramaphosa, in an address to the country's biggest trade union federation..His warning, opines the FT, underlines the pressure on Mr Ramaphosa, as a promise of a "new dawn" for South Africa's stagnant economy falters amid a recession in the first half of this year and a slowdown in reforms.."The ANC also faces national elections next year that will test its long-held grip on power. There is speculation that Mr Zuma's close allies are trying to reignite a power struggle that he lost after Mr Ramaphosa, a labour leader turned wealthy tycoon, succeeded him as party leader last year.".The ANC forced Zuma to resign in February. His acolytes, meanwhile, have "become irritated" under Ramaphosa, who has pledged an all-out fight to root out graft that had become endemic.."Recently, Ace Magashule, the ANC's secretary-general and a close ally of Mr Zuma, has been accused of being part of the plot and secretly meeting the former president. Mr Magashule has admitted meeting Mr Zuma but denied any plot," continues the FT.."We must focus all our efforts on the elections rather than expend our energy on pointless meetings aimed at undoing the decisions of the members of the ANC," Mr Ramaphosa is reported as saying on Monday.."A judicial inquiry into so-called private 'capture' of state institutions under Mr Zuma has increased pressure on his allies as it examines the alleged influence of the Guptas, a now-exiled business family, on state appointments and contracts. Last week's inquiry denied a request by the Guptas to testify from Dubai, where they moved to as Mr Zuma lost power and their South African mining-to-media empire collapsed," it says..Zuma has denied plotting or any wrongdoing over corruption, as have the Guptas. He has called state capture a "politically decorated" term, notes the FT.

World spotlight on ANC plot to overthrow Ramaphosa – FT

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