WATCH | ‘We didn’t come here to fight’: Ramaphosa clashes with princess during campaign visit

North West – ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa’s election campaign visit to Madibeng in North West on Saturday was briefly disrupted when he was confronted by a woman over a long-running chieftaincy dispute at the Bapo-Ba-Mogale Royal Palace.

The woman, identified as Princess Itumeleng Moerane, blocked Ramaphosa from entering the royal house, accusing him of failing to resolve the succession dispute, which dates back to 2016.

As tensions rose, Moerane shouted: “Don’t touch me! Do not touch me! Don’t you dare touch me!” before telling the president: “Mr President, there’s no chief here within the community.”

VOTER REGISTRATION | Earlier, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Bapo Ba Mogale Royal House was briefly disrupted after some royal family members blocked his entry. Following interventions, Ramaphosa was allowed to enter and proceed with his courtesy visit to Kgosi Andrew… pic.twitter.com/CNoCEZhaNm

— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 1, 2026

Ramaphosa sought to defuse the confrontation, responding: “We didn’t come here to fight.” He also appealed for mutual respect, saying: “I respect you so please also respect me,” and urged her to continue the discussion inside the royal house.

When Moerane refused, saying, “I cannot accept that,” Ramaphosa replied: “You don’t respect me then.”

The confrontation ended after Moerane was escorted away from the scene. She later apologised to the president for her behaviour.

WATCH🚨

The woman who confronted ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa upon his arrival in Majakaneng, North West has since apologised to the President for the incident. pic.twitter.com/K2rbQy2w8a

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) August 1, 2026

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli assured the royal family that the government would engage with the North West provincial government to address the dispute and report back to Ramaphosa.

Reflecting on the incident, the president stressed the need for dialogue, saying: “People must be able to sit down and talk about whatever differences they have.”