Lungani Zungu
The ANC in KZN, Jacob Zuma’s home province, has warned that arresting the former president will have profound and devastating implications for the ruling party.
At a press briefing on Wednesday KZN secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli asked the party’s national leadership to “deal with” Zuma’s issues before it destroys the ruling party.
Ntuli had a meeting with Zuma at his Nkandla homestead on Tuesday after Zuma defied a Constitutional Court order instructing him to present himself at the Zondo Commission.
“Zuma told us he believes his rights are being abused,” said Ntuli.
“This is dangerous. We are not talking about a chairperson or a province. This is a former president of the ANC and of the republic.”
He said they wanted the national leadership to get involved.
“We want them to talk to comrade JZ about his stance because if this is not solved it will destroy the ANC,” he said.
He said the matter was too big for them as a province which led them to ask the national leadership and President Ramaphosa to intervene.
“This matter has already torn the party between those who believe that Zuma is innocent and those who want him to go to jail.”
On Wednesday a group of ANC members in the eThekwini region declared war against those who allegedly targeted Zuma and ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule.
Zuma has not given any indication whether he would appear before the commission on Monday as instructed.
He is expected to attend the party’s National Executive Committee meeting on Saturday where his conduct is likely to be debated.
While some members are calling for his expulsion from the ANC Ntuli believes the national leadership should be allowed to deal with the matter.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said he would not comment until the issue was debated.
Picture Source @PresJGZuma
