Anc Leaders Deny 'shooting' Of Mashatile's Car Is Linked To 2027 Conference

African National Congress ANC leaders have denied speculation that the alleged shooting of Deputy President Paul Mashatiles official vehicle is linked to the partys 2027 national conference.

While expressing concern at the incident on Monday 21 April, the Economic Freedom Fighters EFF cited internal dynamics within the ANC that may be complex due to extreme factionalism.

The South African Communist Party SACP also cautioned against the degeneration of political life in our country into violence, lawlessness and bloodshed.

As ANC Deputy President, Mashatile is seen as a frontrunner for the partys presidency when President Cyril Ramaphosa steps down in 2027.

However, speaking at the ANCs Northern Cape provincial conference on Tuesday, Treasurer-General Gwen Ramokgopa said she had no reason to believe that the incident could be linked to internal party contestation.

This is a very serious matter, whether the allegations are true or not, whether the attempt was indeed made or not, and also the extent to which those actions were reported to the police and how far it the investigation is, Ramokgopa told journalists.

So, I think it is a serious matter, either way. Where I stand, I have no reason to believe that it could be linked to 2027 at all.

This is because the ANCs top 7 leaders had agreed that they will not focus on 2027 but on immediate priorities, she explained. These include recovering from the 2024 electoral setback, the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter and the 2026 local government elections.

Asked why the party had not issued a statement on the incident, Ramokgopa said it had referred it to the ANCs secretariat and in due course, we will respond to that.

Addressing the provincial conference, chairperson Zamani Saul also downplayed links to national political contestation.