The African National Congress (ANC) will only conduct Jacob Zuma’s disciplinary hearing after the 29 May elections.
The party had announced that the hearing will be at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 7 May.
JACOB ZUMA’S DISCIPLINARY HEARING POSTPONED
In a letter dated 3 May, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said based on assessment of the security situation prevailing at Luthuli House, they were advised that activities including disciplinary hearings that attract large gatherings are not advisable.
Mbalula said these have the potential to result in violence, especially so close to the National and Provincial Elections.
“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 hearing of JG Zuma,” Mbalula said.
Earlie 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.
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.
KM PARTY HAD PLANNED TO SUPPORT ITS LEADER DURING THE HEARING
Following the announcement of Zuma’s disciplinary hearing, MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said they party’s members would gather outside the ANC headquarters to support Zuma.
Ndlela remarked that the ANC could have postponed Zuma’s disciplinary hearing until after the elections.
“The ANC continues again, to be desperate in trying to deal with President Zuma when they should be focusing on their campaign. We are saying its very silly of them, it’s actually very foolish of them to bring these charges before him,” he said earlier this week.
MK PARTY FOUNDER DENIES EXPULSION
Meanwhile, MK Party founder Jabulani Khumalo insists that he is still a member and leader of the political party.
This, after the Jacob Zuma-led party confirmed that it expelled five members including Khumalo.
Khumalo who registered the MK Party with the IEC in September 2023 was sent packing alongside Ray Khumalo, Bheki Manzini, Lebo Moepeng, and Rochelle Davidson.
The party said the suspension is a commitment to purify itself from rogue elements that would blur its lines to the two-thirds majority.
“We want to categorically state that the National Leadership Core will always act and make decisions in the interest of all patriotic South Africans that want to see change,” MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said.
In a snippet of an interview with television news station eNCA, shared on social media, Khumalo insisted that he is still a member and leader of the party.
