Ramaphosa 'not about to quit'

ANALYSTS: 'HAS BACKING OF GNU AND BIG BUSINESS'

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Two leading political analysts believe it is unlikely President Cyril Ramaphosa will resign, or be forced to step down, because there is no crisis to warrant this and the balance of forces favours him.

The experts were responding to weekend reports suggesting Ramaphosa intends to resign, a move that, were it to happen, would shock the nation.

According to the reports, the president plans to step down after the G20 summit in Johannesburg at the end of November.

They mentioned Ramaphosa's recent statement indirectly praising DA governance in municipalities and urging ANC councillors to emulate the DA in their own municipalities.

The speculation further indicated that Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe would serve as acting president, while Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who is next in line to succeed Ramaphosa, would remain on the sidelines.

Political analyst Dirk Kotzé said for the president to resign there would have to be such a huge scandal or crisis that it would be impossible for him to survive.

"At the moment, there is no crisis or scandal involving the president that would warrant him resigning.