By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee has taken a decision to suspend former President Jacob Zuma as a member of the party.
The top structure of the ruling party is meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, from 26 to 30 January.
A late-night meeting of the NEC on Sunday saw the party’s highest decision-making body agree that Zuma’s membership must be suspended, and that secretary-general Fikile Mbalula must write to him informing him of the suspension.
In December, Zuma announced that he would support Umkhonto weSizwe party (MK) party for the 2024 general elections because the ANC has strayed from its core values.
The NEC opted not to expel Zuma as an ANC member as that would require longer disciplinary processes, which is believed he will not attend.
According to the ANC constitution’s rule 25, Zuma’s actions to not campaign or voting for the ANC are tantamount to a breach of the party’s constitution.
Zuma will be given 48 hours to respond to the suspension decision.
The ANC NEC Lekgotla is currently under way in Boksburg on Gauteng’s East Rand, which the party said will map the programme of action for the year ahead.