Who would South Africa’s interim leader if President Ramaphosa steps aside?

African National Congress’s (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC)  is expected to have a special meeting on Thursday, this is to determine what will be the way forward following the outcome of the independent panel on South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala scandal.

The panel finds that the president violated up to four laws with serious consequences.

This has definitely put him in a very difficult position, and paves way for an impeachment.

In the wake of this report, former president Kgalema Montlante or deputy president David Mabuza are touted as the possible candidates to take over as interim president if Ramaphosa steps aside.

The NEC meeting is expected to pave the way forward as ANC constitution is clear that the president must step aside after being found guilty of wrongdoing.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was expected to appear before the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, but he has cancelled saying he can longer do so.

He told the chair he is considering the content of the Parliamentary independent inquiry on his Phala Phala scandal.

Although many people are applauding for the three member independent panel who were looking into evidence on whether or not president Cyril Ramaphosa violated the terms, the president’s loyalists are crying foul that he is wrongfully accused.

Professor Richard Calland who was removed from the independent panel after people pointed out that he was biased is now arguing that he is disappointed in the approach of the section 89 panel, he suspects that report may be reviewable.

Critics however beg to differ with Professor Richard Calland, they said it was a good thing that he was removed from the panel because it’s clear that he is indeed biased.

“It was a good decision to remove this guy from the panel. He is trying to fool us as a nation. The conclusions by retired Constitutional Court judge are damning,” they said.