In a dramatic and highly charged eruption of internal power struggles within the African National Congress (ANC), Deputy President Paul Moshettal ignited a political firestorm when he openly accused President Sir Remiposa of lying under oath and deliberately misleading the legislature.
This stunning accusation, delivered with unwavering certainty during an emergency parliamentary session, has reverberated through the governing party and shocked a nation already fatigued by years of political turmoil, economic stagnation, and institutional strain.
What had long been whispered about in corridors of power has now exploded into a full-scale public confrontation, exposing deep fractures within the ANC and signaling that the contest for leadership has moved from backroom deals into the harsh glare of public scrutiny.
When Moshettal stood to address Parliament, the usual cacophony of partisan clashes and procedural sparring quickly gave way to an eerie silence.
Speaking with firm frustration, he accused the president of concealing critical information about executive decisions that had profound consequences for governance and accountability.
The most serious allegations he levied included the covert dismissal of senior government officials, unreported expenditures on advisory structures operating without proper oversight, and the deliberate suppression of sensitive information during parliamentary investigations.
Moshettal made it clear that the president had misled both Parliament and the people of South Africa, describing this as not just a political controversy but a full-fledged constitutional crisis demanding urgent resolution.
Moshettal went on to break down Ramaphosa’s past testimony to Parliament, calling it misleading and sanitized.
He pointed to troubling actions, such as the removal of opposition parliamentarians from key committees without due process, secret meetings with foreign donors conducted behind closed doors, and the growing influence of unaccountable private advisers at the heart of the presidency.
Moshettal’s most damning claim was that crucial national security discussions had been deliberately withheld from senior cabinet ministers, a move that the president had previously denied authorizing.
Drawing on leaked ANC documents, Moshettal asserted that these actions were not isolated mistakes or miscommunications but deliberate falsehoods designed to shield the president from scrutiny.
The atmosphere in Parliament was charged with tension as Moshettal’s words sank in.
This was not merely a routine political dispute; it was a historic rupture in the ANC’s long-standing culture of discipline, loyalty, and carefully managed public messaging.
Political analysts quickly recognized that this wasn’t an isolated act of defiance, but part of a coordinated strategy by a growing faction within the ANC leadership.
This faction, increasingly vocal in its opposition to Ramaphosa, views his presidency as a liability, believing his leadership has undermined the party’s credibility and electoral prospects.
The growing disillusionment within the ANC is now on full display, and Moshettal has become the public face of this rebellion.
Insiders within the party say this movement had been quietly gathering momentum for months, with disenchanted members of the National Executive Committee, former cabinet ministers, and provincial leaders frustrated by Ramaphosa’s cautious, opaque, and centralized style of governance.
As one source put it, “the gloves are finally off.”
Moshettal has articulated what a significant portion of the party had long believed but lacked the courage to say openly: that Ramaphosa had become a political liability.
The opposition parties wasted no time in seizing the moment.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Stein Hoisen called for an investigation into the president, declaring that lying under oath to Parliament was a criminal offense.
He insisted that Ramaphosa must be held accountable.
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), echoed the demand for Ramaphosa’s immediate resignation, framing the accusation as further proof of the president’s dishonesty and incompetence.
While the president initially remained silent, a statement released by the presidency late on Friday dismissed Moshettal’s allegations as reckless, baseless, and politically motivated.
The presidency insisted that Ramaphosa had always acted within the bounds of the law, and that any grievances should be addressed through proper legal channels rather than public spectacle.
However, despite these assurances, reports suggest growing anxiety within the president’s inner circle, with his aides and legal advisers working urgently to prepare a defense should formal charges be brought against him.
The specter of a motion of no confidence looms large.
Reports suggest that some ANC branches are openly questioning their support for the president, while political analysts warn that the situation has moved beyond media spectacle and could soon escalate into a potential impeachment crisis.
Parliament is expected to convene a special ethics and oversight committee to examine Moshettal’s allegations, a process that could lead to formal charges of perjury and the initiation of impeachment proceedings.
Legal experts stress that the presidential oath is legally binding and that lying under oath is a serious crime, one that strikes at the very heart of the rule of law.
Public reaction has been swift and intense.
Social media platforms have erupted with hashtags highlighting the confrontation, and early opinion polls indicate a sharp decline in public confidence in Ramaphosa.
Civil society organizations, frustrated by the ANC’s factional battles, have started organizing protests demanding transparency and ethical leadership.
Anti-corruption activists have been particularly vocal, with many calling for an end to the political drama within the ANC and for a return to accountability.
The crisis within the ANC has also exposed deeper divisions.
Some party members argue that the leaks are part of a foreign agenda to destabilize South Africa, while others see them as an opportunity to push for radical economic transformation or to reposition themselves for future leadership contests.
Accusations and counter-accusations are now dominating party meetings, threatening to fracture an organization already weakened by years of infighting and declining public support.
The challenges facing South Africa’s democratic institutions are becoming more apparent.
The public protector’s office, once a symbol of accountability, has become a battleground for political disputes.
Court challenges, parliamentary investigations, and civil society organizations are all pushing for action, but the resistance to these efforts remains strong, and the political environment continues to be fraught with uncertainty.
Despite the efforts of some officials to suppress the revelations, the growing momentum for accountability has made it clear that the crisis cannot be ignored.
Internationally, South Africa’s standing has been affected.
Diplomatic observers are closely monitoring the situation, as accusations of corruption, foreign influence, and political manipulation could strain South Africa’s relations with key allies.
While some countries, like China and Russia, may look to align with other political figures, the country’s global credibility is on the line as long as the political and legal crises remain unresolved.
For Ramaphosa, the coming weeks will be crucial.
His response to Moshettal’s accusations will determine not only his political future but also the fate of his administration.
A strong and evidence-backed counteroffensive may stabilize his position, but continued silence or reliance on procedural defenses could accelerate his political decline.
This crisis represents more than a personal rivalry; it’s a deeper existential struggle within the ANC, one that could fundamentally reshape South Africa’s political future.
The country finds itself at a crossroads, with the political system undergoing a critical test.
The question remains: will South Africa’s political institutions emerge from this moment strengthened by accountability, or will they remain fractured by corruption and infighting?
