African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has confirmed that the disciplinary hearing of the party’s former leader Jacob Zuma will only take place after the upcoming elections.
Mbalula confirmed this during a media briefing on Sunday, 5 May.
JACOB ZUMA’S DISCIPLINARY HEARING WILL NOT TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY
The media briefing took place after contradicting letters were issued from Mbalula’s office regarding Zuma’s disciplinary hearing.
Initially, the hearing was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 7 May at Luthuli House, the ruling party’s headquarters in Johannesburg. Another letter was issued saying the hearing will take place after the elections citing security concerns, while another letter said the hearing would go ahead virtually on Tuesday as previously announced.
On Sunday, Mbalula confirmed that the national disciplinary committee has been instructed to halt the Zuma’s disciplinary hearing even through digital platforms.
Earlier this week the ANC charged Zuma for contravening the party’s constitution including collaborating with another party.
Zuma is technically still a member of the ruling party, although he was suspended from the party in January after he declared his support for the newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party which he now leads.
During the launch of the MK Party in December 2023, Zuma said he remains a member of the ANC but is not going to campaign nor vote for the party he once led. Instead, he endorsed the MK Party.
‘CERTAIN FORCES WANT TO UNDO PROGRESS OF DEMOCRACY IN SA’
During the briefing, Mbalula said Mbalula said some forces sought to use the upcoming election to undo the progress of democracy in South Africa. In this context, the national disciplinary committee had to consider postponing disciplinary hearings at Luthuli House including that of Jacob Zuma.
The former ANC Youth League leader said the members have in the eyes of ANC members and society effectively “constructively resigned” or “expelled themselves” from the ruling party.
“Notwithstanding this reality, the ANC is committed to the rule of law and following the provisions processes set out in the ANC Constitution, including disciplinary processes. However, the leadership of the ANC is also committed, and duty-bound, to act responsibly in safeguarding the life and property of its members and the people of South Africa, and the integrity and stability of the electoral process,” he added.