THE drama between the African National Congress (ANC) and former president Jacob Zuma is getting messier daily.
Last week, the ANC announced that it has arranged a disciplinary hearing for Zuma over his support for uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, which was scheduled to take place this coming Tuesday, 7 May.
First, it was said to take place virtually, but Zuma insisted that he needed to face his accusers and demanded that the hearing take place at the ANC headquarters in Luthuli House, Joburg.
The MK said it would be coming in numbers there to support Zuma.
But now the ANC has decided to make a U-turn and postpone the hearing citing “security reasons.”
In a letter allegedly received by the ANC national disciplinary committee chairman Ralph Mgijima from the party’s secretary general Fikile Mbalula stated that: “Based on an assessment of the security situation prevailing at Luthuli House we are advised that activities, including disciplinary hearings, that attract large gatherings, are not advisable as they have the potential to result in violence, especially so close to the National and Provincial Elections scheduled for 29 May 2024.”
The letter stated: “Accordingly, the ANC national officials have decided that such activities should be held in abeyance until after the 2024 national and provincial elections. This includes the NDC (National Disciplinary Committee) hearing of JG Zuma.”
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Responding to the letter, the MK said upon consulting with legal experts, they assert that if this letter is authentic, it is utterly unacceptable and deserves their strongest condemnation.
MK spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela said their understanding as per their lawyer's legal advice is such that the NDC of the ANC of Cyril Ramaphosa is supposedly an independent and impartial structure, and as such, they ought to not be influenced by instructions from Mbalula or any of the ANC leaders.
“Our legal team's advice and position is that should the ANC desire a postponement, it ought to be formally pronounced by the NDC, and it should also allow president Zuma the opportunity to express his views on the matter as a party of interest.
“Unless otherwise advised, president Zuma will adhere to the notice issued to him by the NDC and will present himself,” he said.
On the alleged violence, Ndhlela said they are appalled by the claims of potential violence and that such fears signal an alarming admission by the ANC of Ramaphosa and its readiness to incite violence against peaceful, law-abiding South Africans who are merely exercising their rights.
“It is important to highlight that president Zuma, accompanied by MK supporters, has appeared at several hearings over the past two months in Bloemfontein, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, and Joburg without any incidents of violence,” he said.
