Cape Town – The African National Congress (ANC) has not yet convened to discuss the suspension of former president Jacob Zuma from the party.
Zuma was suspended earlier this year after refusing to endorse the ANC in the May polls and subsequently launching a rival political party.
Despite facing mounting pressure, the ANC has not taken harsher sanctions against Zuma for bringing the party into disrepute.
According to EWN, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said that Zuma’s matter is not currently a top priority for the party.
“Will I want to call a NEC meeting to deal with specifically, or will leave the matters to the disciplinary committee – that’s a matter we still need to decide on. When the party meets from time to time, it will decide on what it wants to do. But between me and you and the public, he has left.”
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He added: “I’m saying Mr Zuma can no longer be regarded as a member of the ANC, given the fact that he’s already been temporarily suspended as a member of the ANC, as we speak. He has now completely left and defined himself outside. He’s now an opposite leader of the ANC.”
Mbalula has also expressed determination to appeal a Durban High Court’s decision dismissing the ANC’s opposition to the MK party’s use of the uMkhonto weSizwe name and logo.
The ANC sought to prevent the MK party from utilising symbols associated with the ANC’s armed wing, uMkhonto weSizwe, ahead of the upcoming elections.
But on Monday, the High Court in Durban ruled against the ANC’s request.
MK Party leader Jabulani Khumalo expressed satisfaction with the judgment and emphasised their determination to continue with their election campaign.
The #MK Party says it has won today’s trademark judgment in the Durban High Court. It was up against the ANC over the use of the logo which bears a shield and a spear. The judgment was delivered a short while ago. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/Uvt1lUzyGm
— Vusi Khumalo (@djvuslo) April 22, 2024
He told the media outside the court that it was a positive day for supporters of the party and Zuma.
“People who support the MK Party and Zuma, today we have conquered.”
According to The Citizen, Mbalula criticised the court’s ruling, asserting that it would be appealed as the ANC believes it’s the right course of action. He accused the MK party of attempting to destabilise the ANC, suggesting they are leveraging the ANC’s name for their own benefit.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
