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Supporters of former president Jacob Zuma are expected to invade ANC headquarters Luthuli House next Tuesday and paint the Johannesburg city centre green, red and yellow when he appears before an ANC disciplinary committee.
Unlike former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, who defied the party by failing to appear before the disciplinary committee, former president Jacob Zuma is expected to take the fight to the ANC when he appears before the party disciplinary committee (DC) on Tuesday.
Magashule, who is a close Zuma ally, failed to appear before the committee last year, which led to his expulsion.
His expulsion angered many people who believed the matter was not properly handled, including Zuma.
However, when Zuma was suspended, many senior officials, including the party’s alliance partners of Cosatu, SACP, Sanco, and the party leagues, felt the decision was long overdue, as his endorsement of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party was a sign of being ill discipline for somebody who once led the party for 10 years.
READ: MKP denounces 'propaganda' amid Khanyile video controversy, declares Zuma remains its leader
Insiders say Zuma has no intention to defy the party, but wants to fight to correct what he thinks is wrong for the organisation. Inside the the ANC, some have criticised the timing of the DC hearing, fearing it will give Zuma a platform to campaign for his new party.
“He wants to show them that despite supporting the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party, he is still a member of the ANC, and he loves it,” said the source.
The ANC announced that Zuma was summoned before the DC to face two counts of charges of contravening the party’s constitution by endorsing and campaigning for a different party.
The announcement comes four months after the party’s national executive committee (NEC) took a decision to suspend him for endorsing the MKP.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the ANC reaffirms its commitment to internal discipline and accountability, and can confirm that it has formally notified Zuma of an upcoming disciplinary hearing.
The party said in the statement:
The party said this was its way of holding its members accountable.
“Upholding discipline within our ranks is essential. We hold all members, regardless of their position, to the same standards of conduct,” said the ANC. The party also said the disciplinary actions against Zuma contributed to this renewal.
According to the letter sent to Zuma, which City Press has seen, the former president is scheduled to appear before the committee at the ANC headquarters, Luthuli House, on 7 April.
Sources say Zuma will be treated like any other party official who is facing a disciplinary committee. The source said he would be afforded the same right to have representation by any party officials in good standing. “Zuma has long been waiting for this day to come because he wants to fight,” said the source.
READ: Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe Party 'forged’ signatures to meet IEC threshold
The insider said Zuma is not happy with the current ANC leadership under his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“He still believes that Ramaphosa has changed the ANC and was on a witch hunt against senior officials who stood by the ANC. “Zuma believes that the ANC has veered off the road and is no longer serving and advancing black people, and poor people, but rather advancing the interests of minority groups in whites,” said the source.
The letter dated 24 April indicates that he was charged with endorsing the uMkhonto weSizwe Party on 16 December last year.
Read the charge sheet:
The party accused Zuma of calling on all South Africans to join him in dislodging the ANC as the ruling party on 16 December in Soweto.
“You are guilty of contravening rule 25.17.13 of the ANC constitution, which reads: “Joining or supporting a political organisation or party, other than an organisation in alliance with the ANC, in a manner contrary to the aims, objectives, and policy of the ANC.”
The party claims that appearing on the uMkhonto weSizwe Party list of public representatives was against party policy and contradicted the rules as MKP was not an organisation that is an alliance with the ANC.
The ANC further warned Zuma that should he choose not to appear before the disciplinary committee of the organisation, on the date and venue provided, the proceedings will continue in his absence.
Read the letter:
MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela confirmed that Zuma received the letter from the ANC and intends to appear before the party disciplinary committee in person.
“He will attend the disciplinary hearing on Tuesday,” said Ndhlela. He said Zuma wants the party to tell him why he should not vote for the MKP but for the ANC.
“Zuma wants the party to tell him why they don’t want him to exercise his constitutional rights and vote for the MKP. It’s a resistance against the corrupt ANC under Ramaphosa,” said Ndhlela.
