Ramaphosa skipping Mabuza's burial signaled strained relations
Image: GCIS
CONTROVERSY shrouds the absence of President Cyril Ramaphosa and some ANC leaders at the burial site of the late deputy president David Mabuza following his funeral service on Saturday.
The family confirmed that Ramaphosa and other ANC officials were invited to attend the burial.
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.
During the morning session, held at his home, ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe handed over the party flag, which had draped Mabuza's coffin, to the family.
The coffin was then draped in the national flag as the ceremony was handed over to the military in accordance with the Category Two State Funeral protocol.
However, it was the current Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, who handed over the national flag to Mabuza's widow, Nohlanhla, before he was laid to rest.
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 ✕
This was strange, according to political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast.
It has been alleged that Mabuza and Ramaphosa did not see eye to eye, especially following the outcomes of the ANC's conference in 2022, which saw Mabuza vacate his office.
'It is very strange for him (Ramaphosa) to leave before the coffin is lowered into the grave. It is unusual,' he said.
Asked why the President did not go to the burial site, ANC Mpumalanga spokesperson, Sasekani Manzini, said questions should be sent to the national leadership.
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said the family spoke at the funeral and nothing was demonstrable that Mabuza's family was angry.
The party's spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the family expressly requested a private burial and to suggest anything else was disingenuous.
'Until he took his last breath, the deputy president remained loyal and committed to the ANC,' she said.
The family's spokesperson, Desmond Moela, confirmed that Ramaphosa, along with the ANC's top brass and members and the national executive committee (NEC) and the provincial executive committee (PEC), were invited to the burial site but had 'other engagements'.
'That is why the President delegated the Deputy President to hand the national flag over to the flag," said Moela.
Mantashe, Mabuza and Mashatile had worked together ahead of the ANC 2017 conference and successfully installed Ramaphosa as party president.
The trio agreed that instead of having the Mpumalanga delegates vote for either Ramaphosa or his opponent, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, they should rather split their votes in the name of uniting the party.
This propelled Ramaphosa to the party's presidency and Mabuza as his deputy, seemingly solidifying their partnership.
However, Mabuza's influence within the government appeared to diminish. He was not as visible or actively involved in key decision-making processes as some had anticipated.
This led to speculation about a growing rift between him and Ramaphosa, with some allegations suggesting Ramaphosa strategically sidelined him after securing the presidency.
During his speech at the weekend, Ramaphosa described Mabuza as a reliable and dignified leader, adding that he was not someone who sought the limelight but rather chose to work diligently behind the scenes.
Breakfast said this speech was far from the truth, adding that Ramaphosa was not honest about his relationship with Mabuza.
'Why would Mabuza leave the office before his term ends? He never had the support of Ramaphosa's faction. He was not given prominent tasks to shine. I don't think they had a good relationship,' he said.
Meanwhile, political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said the absence of Ramaphosa and other ANC officials at the burial site was in keeping with the expressed wishes of the family.
Cape Times
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Trending: He's wasting our time & money, isn't fit to be president and never delivers
The country's leader is being roundly lambasted and pilloried for his speech on Sunday night: @Razor896 President Cyril Ramaphosa fired a Deputy Minister for going on a international trip without his permission but fails to fire a Minster accused of working with criminals. Streets are calling us. @Constitution_94 Two salaries Two Police Ministers Full benefits to both Taxpayers are screwed Ramaphosa must take a leave of absence himself @ChrisExcel102 The Zondo Commission cost the country R1.5 trillion and no one was arrested … Ramaphosa doesn't take us seriously. @AfricaisBlack When Kenya's President Ruto disrespected Kenyans, the youth organized themselves, without any political party's leadership, and took to the streets. Now, Cyril Ramaphosa has disrespected us to the core! #PeoplePower. #Accountability @NalaThokozane President Cyril Ramaphosa goes down in history as the most indecisive leader to ever lead South Africa. @bxnzow Yoh guys, this country can't survive another decade with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his comrades. @SdizoRSA President Cyril Ramaphosa, commission will take time while at the end, nothing will happen, the only thing will get is 20 text books (printed copies of the report) again. @LeratoPillayZA Ramaphosa is not fit to be a President. @Shadaya_Knight Many South Africans are disappointed with Cyril Ramaphosa's lack of action against corruption allegations on Senzo Mchunu by General Mkwananzi. It shows how a lot of people don't understand politicians, they're all the same, they will protect each other over the greater good of the country Worldwide it's the same, politicians only care about power not justice. Whatever differences they have, they all agree on one thing – power over everything else. Stop putting any hope in politicians, you'll always be disappointed. @sadi_mosadi I'm afraid we underestimate President Ramaphosa's ability to give us nothing. @PhilMphela President Cyril Ramaphosa has been given so many opportune moments to rise to the occasion, to become THAT GUY, to change the narrative, to be the leader the nation has pined for, the one who will go against the grain ... But, alas, time after time, he disappoints. His will be, like all his ilk, a tenure that served the interest of the individual and the few rather than the nation, as we all hoped for post 1994. What was all that? @tsheko2020 President Cyril Ramaphosa could have addressed us via wasted our time. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Is Ramaphosa's appointment of an Acting Police Minister unconstitutional?
Expert claims Ramaphosa's appointment of acting Police Minister violates the Constitution. Image: Supplied/GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointment of an acting police minister, alongside Police Minister Senzo Mchunu being placed on special leave, could be a case of executive overstepping, a constitutional law expert believes. Mchunu has been placed on special leave amid explosive allegations against him by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, but the question of the legality of the president appointing an acting police minister from outside the Cabinet, while there was no vacancy, has arisen. Political parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have questioned the legality of Ramaphosa's decision, which was made public on Sunday night. Ramaphosa also announced a judicial commission of inquiry led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Madlanga would be established to investigate the damning claims of infiltration in the criminal justice system by underworld players with ties to drug cartels. Ramaphosa also announced that he appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police, effective from August 1, 2025. "This is a direct violation of Section 98 of the Constitution, which states: 'The president may assign to a Minister any power or function of another Minister who is absent or otherwise unable to fulfil the functions of office," the EFF said in a statement. "The president's decision is therefore not just unlawful, but a deliberate abuse of the supreme law of the land." The DA criticised the delayed decision to place Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave. "These allegations strike at the heart of South Africa's criminal justice system, implicating senior law enforcement, prosecutorial, intelligence, and even executive officials in organised crime and systemic corruption," the party said. IOL spoke with three experts - two legal experts and a political analyst to find out their views about the president's decision. Speaking about the appointment of Cachalia, Dr Tumi Mmusinyane, who is a North West University (NWU) law professor with an in-depth knowledge of constitutional law pointed out that the president, as head of the Executive Branch, has the ability to make appointments that are authorised by the Constitution or any legislative body. "The Constitution does not enable him to appoint an outsider into the cabinet as an acting Minister because such is not catered constitutes an executive overstepping and an overreach of his constitutional powers, which then hinges on the principle of legality," Mmusinyane said. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ As the head of the Cabinet, Ramaphosa has the executive authority to select Ministers under Section 91(2) of the Constitution. Mmusinyane added that Section 91(3) is prescriptive in terms of who the president can appoint, but it is silent on the appointment of acting ministers. However, section 91(3)(c) states that the President may pick no more than two Ministers from outside the National Assembly. "Section 98 empowers the president in the context of "may" to assign any power or function to another cabinet member who is absent from office or is unable to exercise that power or perform that function. If we look at these two sections, they are referring to the Presidential powers to appoint a Minister and assign to another cabinet member a function and enable him to appoint a minister outside his cabinet. "While the Constitution only refers to the appointment of Ministers and assignment to another cabinet ministerial position, it does not say anything if the same powers and assignments can also be extended to an acting minister," he said. Mmusinyane went on to say: "The Constitution does not enable him to appoint an outsider into the cabinet as an acting Minister because such is not catered for... That constitutes an executive overstepping, an overreach of his constitutional powers, which then hinges on the principle of legality. Mmusinyane added that Ramaphosa must be challenged. "He will need to be challenged through a review of his executive authority decision, and that is where he will be expected to provide reasons for going outside the cabinet to appoint an acting minister by the Constitution, which does not make provision for it." Political analyst Siyabonga Ntombela explained that the president could not have appointed the deputy ministers as they are not members of the cabinet. "They cannot act on that executive position. They have their duties that they need to attend to. Historically, Ministers have been temporarily appointed to act on behalf of their contemporaries," said Ntombela. Casting a different Willie Spies from Hurter Spies, attorneys said the President may also appoint ministers without or with portfolios. "The Constitution empowers him to do that. I therefore believe that his actions are constitutionally sound," said Spies. IOL Politics Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
President Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to live up to expectations, again
President Cyril Ramaphosa underwhelmed many South Africans on Sunday night. Image: GCIS, IOL Graphics President Cyril Ramaphosa had the opportunity to grab the bull by the horns on Sunday night, but yet again, rather than being bold and decisive, he chose to appease factions in the ANC. In the lead up to the much anticipated 'Family Meeting' on Sunday night, the nation was gripped and expectant, after KwaZulu-Natal top cop Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi unleashed a bazooka on the nation - stripping his political boss Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, naked. Mkhwanazi's allegations of political interference and worse more, that Mchunu was a conduit for a sophisticated criminal network involving individuals from the deep and dark under-belly of South Africa's crime and drug networks - were pregnant with detail. He cited bank transactions, WhatsApp conversations extracted from the cellphone of an implicated party - Vusumuzi 'Cat' Matlala and even linked the minister's movements with another murky character apparently swirling around and near the minister - one Brown Mogotsi. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The police minister has of course denied the allegations, twice, but he has yet to publicly allow any interrogation by any journalist in this country on the allegations. So until then, best believe most will take Mkhwanazi's bazooka as the gospel truth, no matter what his media officers and murky online characters promoting his image, do or say. In the lead up to the Sunday address, a persistent question on IOL and other news platforms was the question of whether Ramaphosa would protect or fire Mchunu. He has opted for the middle ground, stripping him of his responsibility with the announcement of the so-called special leave, but retaining his title as minister, salary and ministerial perks, for at least the next year or more. And therein lies the failure, and the disappointment for most South Africans. Ramaphosa had the opportunity to fire Mchunu and send him to the backbenches of Parliament for the duration of the inquiry which could take months, many many months. The DA's former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield was fired without a commission of inquiry for travelling to the US without the head of state's express permission. Although with Whitfield too, it curiously took the president three months to act. Firing Mchunu would have no doubt been damaging within ANC corridors, but it would have sent the right message to the public-at-large - the time for the politics of patronage is over. Thuma Mina During Ramaphosa's first State of the Nation Address in February 2018, he sent the nation into a poetic orgasm with his Mbeki-esque Thuma Mina speech, but he has been an elusive and difficult president to send to do anything of substance, ever since. Within the ANC and Luthuli House politics, he has been a behemoth creature, toppling the RET faction and the likes of former president Jacob Zuma, Ace Magashule and many others. But in Pretoria, it feels like the centre does not hold. Since 2018, the country has sent Ramaphosa clear directives, objectives and goals, but the country and its people has been consistently falling short. Zuma did a lot of harm to Project South Africa - there is no denying that - but how better has Ramaphosa fared? Police reform has been on the agenda for a number of years - chiefly through the two Ramaphosa Administrations - but how much progress has the country made. Ramaphosa has tried to establish new law enforcement agencies alongside the SAPS, like the NPA-led prosecutor driven Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC - which was previously known as the Investigating Directorate), but it is a new and tiny crime fighting institution, which still needs more money, more manpower to become the force that is required. IDAC IDAC has been established to 'investigate and prosecute high level and complex corruption, including common law and statutory offences' - the agency states. These commercial crimes include fraud, forgery, uttering, theft and corruption related offences, as prescribed under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities. They also extend to violations in relation to terror-related crimes, contraventions of the the Public Finance Management Act, the Municipal Finance Management Act and Financial Intelligence Centre Act related amid wide criticism from the public in terms of Ramaphosa instituting another Commission of Inquiry to be led by soon to be retired Acting Deputy Chief Justice Madlanga, the IDAC is also setup to deal with specific referrals arising from 'public commissions of enquiries in criminal activities that involve prominent figures in government departments, State Owned Entities (SOEs), and the private sector'. The IDAC only become a permanent office in August last year. They have a lot of work to do, with backlogs ranging from the Marikana Commission, Mpati Commission, Zondo Commission and many others. Advocate Andrea Johnson is the head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). Image: Jacques Naude/Independent Newspapers Commission Criticism And this is the concern for many South Africans arising out of the answer to the Mkhwanazi bazooka being another inquiry. I am aware many people do not want to hear this, but in instituting a Commission of Inquiry, Ramaphosa - to my reading - had very little other choice. The allegations - or bazooka bomb dropped by Mkhwanazi was serious and demanded a response. The criticism is that the commission is a delay tactic for continued ANC expediency, and that is warranted, but the commission also presents the public an opportunity to hear first hand how rotten the State of Pretoria is. We do deserve to know, and we should call for a transparent process which will uncover and detail the rot, layer by layer, before our eyes. Once that has been ascertained, the IDAC must stand ready to act against those implicated, immediately and in a pointed fashion. The times of political ducking must come to an end. Mkhwanazi's allegations - I know most people fully believe them - must be tested and action must follow. By the way, remember that National Development Plan... How are we doing with the professionalization of the SA Police Service? Story for another day. ** Sihle Mlambo is a content manager at IOL. ** The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of IOL or Independent Media.
