The ANC chairperson also urged the party not to elect a strongman president at its 2027 conference

Diplomacy, domestic strains and a test of political authority underlined this year’s presidency

The party is set to address factionalism, corruption and alliance fallout ahead of next year’s local government elections

Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri raised eyebrows when she suggested that the ANC would not have its financial woes if it was corrupt

On the first day of the party’s national general council, chairperson Gwede Mantashe slammed Ramaphosa’s detractors and urged them to ‘say whatever you want to say here and not outside these walls’

The president also told a meeting of his ANC that criminals, corrupt careerists, extortionists and factionalists should find themselves outside of the party

The ANC secretary-general said the organisation might need to reconsider the policy of allowing dual membership of both parties

The regional conference was initially scheduled for July but has since been postponed twice