Zille clarifies comments on ANC’s ‘seamless’ shift to Motsepe

Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council Chair Helen Zille.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Council Chair Helen Zille says her comments regarding the African National Congress’ (ANC) potential transition from President Cyril Ramaphosa to his brother-in-law, are not an endorsement of Patrice Motsepe.

She was responding to a media report that she said the possible election of billionaire Motsepe as ANC president would be a seamless and non-disruptive transition of power.

Zille says she would never involve herself in ANC’s internal matters.

“I, in a context said very clearly what my position is on the ANC’s transition. They call you afterwards, they push you, they get one word like seamless out of you then they twist it to say that this is what it means, it means endorsing which it absolutely doesn’t. You see the agenda behind it is that these journalists don’t want Patrice Motsepe so they think that if I can endorse Patrice Motsepe then that reduces his chances. That’s how they use politicians to try and drive the agenda,” adds Zille.

[ON AIR] There are now reports that the DA Chairperson of Federal Council, Helen Zille has now endorsed the election of billionaire Patrice Motsepe to become @MYANC president. @helenzille: @Our_DA Federal Council Chair on #TheMorningBrief with Thulasizwe Simelane #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/YxwvsrjG89

— SAfmRadio 📻 (@SAfmRadio) January 26, 2026