THE African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed that the disciplinary hearing against former president Jacob Zuma has been postponed until after the elections on 29 May.
This was said by the party secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, during a media briefing at the Luthuli House in Joburg on Sunday, 5 May.
He further said they don't expect anything to happen on Tuesday, 7 May.
Mbalula was giving an update on the woes between the party and Zuma.
He also spoke on the campaign trail ahead of the polls.
Diving deeper into Zuma, he said the ANC is committed to the rule of law and following the provisions and processes set out in the ANC Constitution, including disciplinary processes.
However, he said the leadership of the ANC is also committed and duty-bound to act responsibly in safeguarding the life and property of its members and the people of South Africa and the integrity and stability of the electoral process.
ALSO READ: ANC vs Zuma: Disciplinary drama deepens!
“In pursuance of this duty and based on an assessment of the security situation prevailing at Luthuli House, the SGO was advised that activities that have the potential to attract large gatherings that might result in violent or disruptive behaviour are not advisable, especially so close to election day.
“This is exacerbated by the activities of certain political parties in organising demonstrations and sit-ins at Luthuli House.
"Jacob Zuma is writing his own history outside the African National Congress. What the ANC is doing is implementing what is within its own constitution and rules," Mbalula said.
He said Zuma has shown no remorse but determination to be outside the ANC since his suspension by the ANC NEC over his support to the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party.
Mbalula said Zuma even went as far as making himself the leader of MK.
He also dismissed the claims that the former president is the ‘signatory’ of the governing party and that he can de-register the ANC.
“When Zuma was elected in 1991, I don’t know if the constitution of the ANC says he is the signatory for life. I have seen that circulate. I don’t want to respond to speculations. We will wait until the people who are raising those issues on social to come to us with their madness.
“But the ANC is known that it is a political party in South Africa, and it has contested successful elections. It has never been a property of an individual,” he said.
