Cape Town – ANC’s first deputy secretary-general, Nomvula Mokonyane says the party will not intervene or request a pardon for former South African President Jacob Zuma.
Her remarks came after the Constitutional Court’s recent decision upholding the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that found Zuma’s release on parole to be illegal.
The decision of whether Zuma should return to jail now rests with correctional services commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale.
Currently, Zuma is in Russia receiving medical treatment.
Mokonyane rejected ANC’s interference in pardoning Zuma, emphasising the importance of objectivity and leaving the matter to the relevant authorities.
“That would be called interference.
“The most important thing is that we think there has to be objectivity in handling this matter, and the relevant authorities have that task of reflecting on it and ensuring that it is handled in a manner that will not create unnecessary perceptions going forward,” News24 quoted her as saying.
Meanwhile, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said on Sunday that the party was still waiting on a decision from the Department of Correctional Services whether Zuma should return to prison.
“No one wants to see anyone at the age of 80 going to jail but in this instance, the law is the law,” EWN quoted Mbalula as saying.
Mbalula said the ANC was calling for calm and for the country’s law enforcement agencies to be on alert in order to avoid a repeat of the July 2021 unrest when Zuma was first imprisoned.
“The security cluster, its job is to maintain law and order and ensure that nothing can culminate into acts of economic sabotage, lawlessness because those acts tarnish the authority of the State.”
No one wants Msholozi to go to prison. We do not want Former President Zuma, our Veteran, to go to prison! https://t.co/KIXPCbQXzx pic.twitter.com/SD80dFUQyh
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Cde Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) July 15, 2023
While the ANC will not lobby for a pardon, the EFF has expressed its intention to ask President Cyril Ramaphosa to pardon Zuma if he was sent back to jail.
Last week, EFF leader Julius Malema called on Ramaphosa to pardon Zuma if the Commissioner of Correctional Services deemed it necessary for Zuma to return to jail.
Malema emphasised the need to prevent a recurrence of the violence and destruction that occurred during the unrest following Zuma’s imprisonment, with over 300 people losing their lives.
He argued that it was time for Zuma to be released, urging Ramaphosa to prioritise peace over the idea that no one is above the law.
” The judgment is not what you guys are saying. The judgment says the Department of Correctional Services must still make a decision. So, I can’t go to President [Ramaphosa] about a non-existing decision, but if they say he must go to [jail], I will go to him and argue my case with him that the guy is sick. The guy is old; his struggle credentials, his service to the public office and the fact that he served time in prison and the fact that parole on its own does not mean you are free; you continue to serve even from outside. It is enough for you to give him a presidential pardon to avoid the possibility of instability which was experienced in KZN,” Malema told a press briefing in Johannesburg on Friday.
♦️Must Watch♦️
CIC @Julius_S_Malema at the Frank Dialogue with Editors reflecting on the 10 years of the EFF.
– Zuma has served. It is enough. Why do you still want to burn this country even after a person has served? #EFFTurns10#MalemaOnFrankDialogue pic.twitter.com/455eBkXRTs
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 14, 2023
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@PresidencyZA
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
