By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed the disciplinary proceedings against former president Jacob Zuma will proceed as planned.
This follows threats that he would take the party to court should it hold an in-person meeting determining his fate.
In a short statement, “The ANC said it acknowledges numerous media inquiries regarding former President Jacob Zuma’s appearance before the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).
“As previously communicated, the National Disciplinary Committee session scheduled for today, 17 July 2024, is proceeding as planned. A verdict will be announced once the committee has received and reviewed all representations, read the statement.
The party has charged Zuma with contravening the ANC rules, including contravening the party’s constitution.
The charges relate to Zuma’s decision to support and be the face of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party for the May elections.
According to the movement, Zuma violated rule 25 of the ANC’s constitution by showing support for another political party.
Zuma formed the MK Party in December last year in Soweto, claiming that he was rescuing the ANC.
MK Party is now the third largest party with 14.58% nationally after the electoral results were announced in May.
It has 58 seats in the National Assembly and 37 seats in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial legislature with 45.35%.
In a statement, the MK party said Zuma will on Wednesday be represented by his all time ally and Tony Yengeni at his disciplinary hearing.
“Zuma believes that commander Tony Yengeni is well placed as a seasoned Commander of uMkhonto weSizwe to represent him in the kangaroo court convened against him by the sellout ANC of Ramaphosa, Steenhuisen and Groenewald, said the party.
The party has also said that the ANC had not responded to requests for the hearing to be held in person.
Previously, the ANC said the hearing could not be held at its Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg due to security concerns, with MK party members threatening to march to the building in support of Zuma.
If the party’s NDC finds a guilty verdict against Zuma, he would be the first former ANC president to be expelled. Zuma’s ally, Ace Magashule was the first secretary-general to receive the same fate.