The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party criticizes the African National Congress (ANC) for its persistent focus on former president Jacob Zuma, citing it as a display of “desperation” instead of concentrating on their election campaign.
Zuma to attend ANC disciplinary hearing
On Thursday, the ANC officially announced that Zuma will undergo an ANC disciplinary hearing next Tuesday for breaching party regulations.
The hearing occurs just under a month before the country’s election day.
The former ANC leader faces two charges of violating the governing party’s regulations.
These include contravening the ANC constitution by publicly endorsing the newly formed MK party last year and by appearing on the candidate list for the MK party.
According to The Citizen, MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela stated that Zuma will attend his hearing.
“The ANC can follow the due processes that they need to follow. President Zuma has accepted the invite for him to appear and he will be in person.”
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.
“What’s the desperation? This is just hate…[Thabo] Mbeki said there shouldn’t be any rush and they should wait until after the elections. But again, what do you expected from an ANC that is run by people who are just incompetent. It’s very foolish of them,” Ndlela said.
Zuma faced suspension from the governing party in March following a two-day NEC meeting.
NDC procedures
As per the ANC constitution, Zuma can be represented by a member in good standing during the hearing.
According to the Daily Maverick, the NDC holds the authority to expel any ANC members found to be violating rule 25 of the party’s constitution.
“Any member found guilty of the misconduct referred to in Rule 25.5 (m) and (n), shall be ineligible to be or remain a member, and shall be expelled from the organisation,” it reads.
The NDC has the authority to enforce penalties or sanctions for proven breaches of the constitution, other pertinent instruments, principles, norms, policies, and decisions of the ANC.
These may include reprimands, compensation payments, undertaking practical tasks, remedial actions, suspension of membership, or expulsion from the ANC.
Additionally, a public representative’s case can entail removal from any list or instrument enabling such representation for the ANC at any government level.
The committee also possesses the authority to temporarily suspend the enforcement of any penalties or sanctions, either with or without specific conditions, for a predetermined period.
If expelled or sanctioned, Zuma will be given a period of up to 14 days to challenge the conclusions with the party’s National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal.
According to SABC News, Legal Analyst Mpumelelo Zikalala asserts that the disciplinary hearing of the former President of the African National Congress (ANC), Jacob Zuma, is long overdue.
This comes as the former president is anticipated to participate in a Tuesday disciplinary hearing next week. The details were revealed in a document issued by the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC). Zuma is reportedly facing charges on two counts.
Zikalala says, “It was about time in which they were going to remind the former president and say to him either you resign as being the member of the ANC – if you are not going to do that then, we are going to assist you by bringing you in front of the disciplinary process, what the constitution is, you’ve been at the helm of this party.”
“You know exactly what the rules are. If you look at your rule four and your rule five, they clearly state what the duties are – hence the oath that you have taken, if you break that oath by making or by joining other party’s or publicly endorsing them, then you’ve broken the ultimate rule of the ANC Constitution,” adds Zikalala.
In the meantime, the MK Party declares its readiness to rally in full force to support its leader during his disciplinary hearing attendance.
