In a fiery and unequivocal denial issued on Monday, 1 December 2025, Deputy Minister of Health and senior African National Congress (ANC) leader Dr. Joe Phaahla has slammed reports alleging his involvement in a plot to undermine President Cyril Ramaphosa, branding them as “utter rubbish and pure hogwash.”
The allegations, which emerged from unnamed sources in weekend political reports, suggested that Phaahla—alongside a cohort of other deputy ministers recently reassigned in a cabinet reshuffle—was at the centre of a brewing rebellion. The reports claimed this group, frustrated by perceived demotions and sidelining, was orchestrating a coordinated effort to challenge Ramaphosa’s authority ahead of the party’s crucial national conference.
Dr. Phaahla’s statement was uncompromising. “These allegations are not only baseless but dangerously divisive,” he declared. “My commitment to the leadership of President Ramaphosa, the integrity of the ANC, and the stability of the government is absolute. I have served this movement for decades, and my record speaks to loyalty and discipline, not the factional scheming being peddled in certain circles.”
Political analysts suggest the rumours are less about Phaahla’s personal actions and more a symptom of intensifying factional battles within the ANC. The recent reshuffle, which saw several high-profile figures moved to different portfolios, is interpreted by some as Ramaphosa consolidating power and rewarding allies, thereby creating fissures among those who feel displaced.
“When you reshuffle the deck, some players inevitably feel they’ve been dealt a worse hand,” said political analyst Professor Lebo Mashego. “What we’re seeing is the leakage of internal grievances, possibly weaponised by rival factions. The ‘coup’ narrative is extreme, but it points to very real undercurrents of dissatisfaction and jockeying for position as the party looks toward its future leadership.”
The office of the Presidency has not yet commented on the specific allegations, but a source close to the President reiterated confidence in his deputy ministers and dismissed the plot claims as “gossip designed to sell newspapers and sow discord.”
Despite the denials, the incident threatens to cast a shadow over the ANC’s stated goal of unity. It brings into public view the persistent tension between the party’s need to present a cohesive front to the public and the behind-the-scenes struggles for influence that define its internal politics.
Dr. Phaahla concluded his statement with a call for focus: “Our energy as the ANC and as a government must be directed at serving the people of South Africa—addressing the health challenges our nation faces, rebuilding our economy, and combating corruption. I will not be distracted by malicious fabrications, and I urge others to similarly rise above petty politics.”
The coming days will be scrutinised for any further reactions from other named deputies or from the ANC’s top leadership, as the party seeks to control the narrative and prevent a full-blown media crisis from destabilising its agenda.
About The Author
