Former president Jacob Zuma has requested the ANC National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) to grant him a public hearing during his case against the party.
In early May, prior to the general elections, Zuma had been given notice to appear before the ANC’s disciplinary committee at the party’s Luthuli House headquarters to face charges including contravening the party’s constitution for collaborating with another party among others.
The ANC, through its secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, later postponed the hearing to Wednesday.
Zuma had announced on December 16 last year that he would be campaigning for the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), of which he is president, instead of the ANC.
However, he claimed he was still an ANC member.
Represented virtually by former ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Tony Yengeni in absentia, Zuma insisted that he wanted his hearing to be physical “as previously agreed between himself and the ANC and as per the provisions of the ANC constitution”.
Yengeni during the proceedings argued that he would need a postponement to convey the message that the ANC NDC had ruled that the matter would proceed on the virtual platform.
In a statement, the MKP wrote that the proposed date for the next hearing would be next Tuesday.
“Due to the understandable public interest and enquiries we are receiving on this matter, we will continuously update our members and the public on any new developments regarding president Zuma and this unfortunate harassment by the sell-out ANC of Ramaphosa.
“He remains of the strongest view that, in these exceptional circumstances, the hearing should not only be physical but that it should also be opened up to the public… uMkhonto weSizwe wishes to add its voice to the call for openness and transparency in this important process. Those who have nothing to hide must live up to the rights and values enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of SA,” the MKP added.
Earlier on Wednesday during the proceedings, the ANC had asked for the media to give them “space” to conduct their business of the day with Zuma.
“The ANC acknowledges numerous media inquiries regarding former president Jacob Zuma’s appearance before the NDC. A verdict will be announced once the committee has received and reviewed all representations. We cannot specify the timeline for this process as it depends on the scope of the deliberations and the issues under consideration,” the ANC statement read.
Meanwhile, the MKP embarked on a march in Durban on Wednesday calling for a recount of votes of the May 29 elections.
After its abrupt decision to pull the plug on its vote-rigging court case recently, the MKP vowed to launch another court bid with the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC).
The march of MKP members, who braved the scorching sun, started from King Dinuzulu Park through Pixley KaSeme Street (West Street) to the Durban City Hall. Among the marchers was prominent MKP member and a former MKP national youth convenor, Bonginkosi Khanyile.
Upon arriving at City Hall, the MKP handed their memorandum to IEC officials.
One of the march organisers, Bongani Khoza, who is also MKP KZN co-ordinator, said the party has “compelling proof of vote-rigging”.
Khoza said that according to their internal investigations, they should have received more than 9 millions votes.
The party became the third largest in the country with more than 4.5 million votes behind the DA and the ANC.
“The vote rigging is real and we have proof of that. All we are saying is that the IEC must be truthful and tell us about the stolen votes because there are stolen votes.
“If you look at how people vote you could see the pattern that the MKP got the most votes both in the province and nationally.
“If we have to march several times we will do that until we are heard, we cannot allow blatant corruption to go on like this,” Khoza said.
Khanyile, who was previously removed from MKP youth structures, said the party will not rest until the stolen votes are returned.
“All we are asking for is a recount so that our stolen votes can return. If the IEC fails to do that we are calling for fresh elections. South African people spoke on May 29 and they cannot be ignored. People showed that the only party that represents their interests is the MK Party,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Court has agreed to hear the MK Party’s matter later this month, challenging the results of the recent general elections. This is despite the party withdrawing its bid before the court.
The IEC said it will not let the matter go, maintaining that the allegations by MKP have damaged its reputation.
The matter will be heard virtually on Monday, July 29, at 9am, according to the registrar of the Electoral Court, Delisile Nhlapho, in her letter dated Monday, July 15.
The Star