The African National Congress (ANC) has announced its preparedness to face potential legal action from former President Jacob Zuma, following his suspension by the governing party.
The ANC’s 87-member National Executive Committee (NEC) suspended Zuma on Monday, labeling him a “counter-revolutionary” and a “reactionary,” drawing comparisons between the former president and rebel leaders Jonas Savimbi of Unita in Angola and Afonso Dhlakama of Renamo in Mozambique.
Speaking to journalists at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, where the party held its NEC meeting and is currently gathered for its lekgotla, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula acknowledged the potential for insinuations of violence arising from external rhetoric.
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Mbalula stated that the ANC should be prepared to defend itself against anyone challenging the decisions of the ANC NEC or ANC as a whole.
Mbalula also noted that Zuma would be duly informed about the ANC NEC’s decision to suspend him and added that the possibility of Zuma taking the matter to court was very much possible. He emphasized the ANC’s readiness to face any court case challenging their decisions.
When asked about Zuma’s indispensability and the ANC’s responsibility for his actions, Mbalula highlighted that Zuma was a member of the ANC and served as the president until his recall by the party.
He stated that the ANC took action when it deemed necessary, even though it may have taken time to do so. Mbalula emphasized that the decision to suspend Zuma was unanimous within the national executive committee, and there was no dissent.
He clarified that the discussion was not contentious or tense because Zuma had already made up his mind, and it was evident to all activists and comrades that he had deviated from the party’s course.
Zuma’s membership suspension comes more than a month after he announced that he would not vote or campaign for the ANC. Instead, he declared his support for the Umkhonto weSizwe party (MK) ahead of the 2024 general elections, stating that the ANC had strayed from its core values.
Analysts viewed Zuma’s move as a blow to the ANC, and the party’s Veterans League labeled it as “treason and treachery.”
According to Mbalula, Zuma’s membership will remain suspended until the finalization of disciplinary proceedings, including reviews. He clarified that the permanent expulsion of Zuma from the ANC has not yet been decided. As of now, Zuma has not responded to his suspension.
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