Cape Town — Political experts believe that Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision in delaying the announcement of the 2024 election date, is a ploy to buy the ANC some more time to strategise against Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
According to independent analist, Sandile Swana, the new political party is giving the ruling party sleepless nights, especially over ruling in KZN. Swana said the president’s delay was no coincidence as Ramaphosa and the party try to gauge the impact of MK on the party’s support, The Citizen reported.
Zuma’s public pledge to support MK, unsettled the ANC and its membership, including the NEC.
The ANC has to prepare for a caning in 2024 because the caning is coming, This is different from any other election. Ramaphosa is set to be the president that lost the majority for the ANC [and] there is nothing they can do to prevent that situation, it is here.” Swana said
“Ramaphosa needs to use the time before the announcement to settle in the best possible way, so as to know where his starting point might be, what he has lost and what he still has. He wants to go into a campaign process sure about where he still has control.” he added.
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Election expert Michael Atkins said the delayed passing of the Electoral Matters Amendment Bill was a potential stumbling block for the president. Ramaphosa was expected to announce the election date during his State of the Nation Address (Sona) last week but, instead, the Presidency moved it to 23 February.
Once passed, the legislation would enable the IEC to issue funding rules for independents and to allow them broadcasting rights as part of their campaigns.
EFF leader, Julius Malema, also believes that Ramaphosa has delayed the announcement of the elections to give the ANC as much time as possible to prepare.
“Look, to see that you are dealing with a crook, the election date was announced during the state of the nation address in 2019. You know why he did that? Because he was still hot at the time. He knew that ‘I can’t postpone this, I must hit while the iron is still hot’. He announced it because he knew all ratings were like ‘the man’.” Malema said, alluding to the so-called “Ramaphoria” at the time.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
