By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula has written to the party’s disciplinary committee seeking postponement of former President Jacob Zuma’s disciplinary hearing.
Zuma has been summoned by the ANC to appear before a disciplinary committee for campaigning for the opposition uMkhonto weSizwe Party.
He was suspended in January for violating rule 25.60 of the ANC’s constitution after he publicly announced on December 16 that he would not vote or campaign for the ruling party, but instead endorse the MK Party in the 2024 polls.
Mbalula in a letter currently circulating on social media requested the party’s disciplinary committee chairperson, Ralph Mgijima postpone Zuma’s hearing, citing security concerns and fears of violence shortly before the election.
Based on an assessment of the security situation prevailing at Luthuli House we are advised that activities, including disciplinary hearings, that attract large gatherings, are not advisable as they have the potential to result in violence, especially so close to the National and Provincial Elections scheduled for 29 May 2024.
“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.
In December, Zuma announced that he would support the MK party for the 2024 general elections because the ANC had strayed from its core values.
Former ANC president, Thabo Mbeki said it would be wrong for the organisation to delay Zuma’s disciplinary hearing until the conclusion of the upcoming elections.
Speaking on the sidelines of his election campaign, Mbeki said even if the ANC loses votes, Zuma must be called to account as soon as possible.
“You can’t postpone it until after the elections, it would be wrong. The right thing to do to any person, a very senior person like him – former president of the ANC who has done something which is grossly in violation of the constitution, the ANC must act. I think they have acted and I think it’s correct.”
Former ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe called on the party to be fair in dealing with Zuma’s case.
Speaking on the sidelines of a campaign trail in Diepkloof, Motlanthe said Zuma’s case has to be handled within the prescripts of the ANC constitution.
“In all cases of ill-discipline there two standards to measure fairness the first one is whether you have a substantive case against the individual, the second one is whether you followed fair procedures so procedural fairness is one of the test … being fair and just to whoever you have a relationship with as an organisation.”