The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has reacted with anger to the recent disciplinary hearing of former ANC member and president Jacob Zuma, who was on Sunday found guilty of contravening the party’s constitution following his endorsement of the MK Party last year.
On December 16, Zuma announced that he would be campaigning for the MK Party instead of the ANC.
The leaked document was shared on social media after it was signed by five members of the ANC’s national disciplinary committee.
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party, on behalf of Zuma, has expressed “profound shock and dismay” upon learning from media sources about an alleged leak from the ANC disciplinary committee.
“We can only confirm this as an act that appears to be a deliberate attempt by the ANC of Ramaphosa to undermine president Zuma.
“Alarmingly, neither president Zuma nor his designated representative, comrade Tony Yengeni, were informed of this ruling – a stark violation of both the ANC constitution and the Constitution of South Africa,” Ndhlela said.
Ndhlela added that the decision to charge Zuma was tantamount to the 15-month prison sentence imposed against Zuma by the Constitutional Court.
“This principle is designed to protect against miscarriages of justice, which sadly, this scenario closely mirrors, resembling a trial conducted through the media. This is clearly a continuation of an apartheid-style and trend, wherein president Zuma was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment without fair trial or an option of a fine.
“This situation is exacerbated by the ANC’s contradictory behaviour, initially scheduling a physical hearing in May, only to later withdraw this commitment. Moreover, the document details intimidation tactics employed by Fikile Mbalula against Comrade Yengeni, further tainting the procedural integrity of this process,” Ndhlela said.
The Star