The recording captures a candid party President, Cyril Ramaphosa, admonishing party members as they gear up for the upcoming elections.

Ramaphosa's voice can be heard insisting on a target of 57% of the electoral vote, a clear sign of the party's determination to maintain its governing status.

ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, addressed the press in Johannesburg, downplaying the significance of the leaked discussions. "In meetings, people express their views, which don't necessarily represent the ANC's stance.

“When such private exchanges are invaded, whether by ANC insiders or others with mischievous intentions, it undermines the party," Mbalula explained.

Mbalula emphasised the illegality of intercepting private party meetings and dismissed the notion of the ANC engaging in such practices against political rivals. "We're simply doing what any party would do in the run-up to an election," Mbalula stated, framing the conversation within the normal bounds of election preparation.

--SABC--