Zuma disciplinary — Handful of MK supporters ignore memo about virtual hearing, descend on Luthuli House

MK Party members gathered at Beyers Naude Square near Luthuli House while a disciplinary hearing on former president Jacob Zuma is underway virtually.(Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

By Nonkululeko Njilo

23 Jul 2024

Despite former president Jacob Zuma’s hearing before the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee being held virtually, about 100 supporters gathered at the party’s headquarters, Luthuli House.

The uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party in Gauteng had planned to bus its supporters to Luthuli House but did an about-turn on Monday afternoon. An internal memo sent by the party’s provincial coordinator, Thabang Nkani, confirmed this.

“Take note that the ANC of Ramaphosa has denied President Jacob Zuma an opportunity to present himself in its Kangaroo court at its head office at Luthuli House, so he will be appearing virtually represented by Cde Tony Yengeni. Because of this, all MK structures and members are requested to suspend the planned appearance with Ubaba since he won’t be there.”

Despite the memo, the small group went ahead and gathered to protest and chant “Wenzeni uZuma”, loosely translated as “What has Zuma done wrong?” It proved a popular refrain as they made their way to Beyers Naude Square in Johannesburg after being chased away from Luthuli House by the police.

For a greater part of the morning, roads leading to and around Luthuli House had to be cordoned off, leading to traffic jams in the CBD.

MK party members gathered at Beyers Naude Square near Luthuli House during former president Jacob Zuma's virtual hearing. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

MK party at at Beyers Naude Square near Luthuli House. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

Zuma MK members gathered in support of Jacob Zuma at Beyers Naude Square. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

MK’s regional leader, Theo Dlamini, poured cold water on suggestions that MK is a violent party, saying all they wanted was justice for Zuma. “People must stop the narrative that uMkhonto Wesizwe is ill-disciplined and a violent party. We are a democratic party and a disciplined movement, as you can see here today.”

Daily Maverick spoke to some of the supporters who vowed to stand with Zuma, whom they believe is a victim of the ANC.

Nonhlanhla Ngwenya said: “We are here to support our leader for the abuse that he has suffered. We want the ANC to see that he is not alone – we will support him until the end.”

Another supporter, Siphesihle Maphumulo, said her decision to skip work and support Zuma had been influenced by her love for the former president and the good work he did during his tenure.

“Things were much better during Zuma’s administration. We could afford our lives, but now everything is expensive – food, clothes, petrol and everything else. We cannot even have small businesses, so we will support Zuma and the MK,” she said.

Zuma faces two charges, both of which relate to the MK party, for which he announced he would campaign in December 2023, five months before the 29 May general elections.

The first charge is contravening rule 25.17.17.4 of the ANC’s constitution, by acting “on behalf of or in collaboration with a political organisation or party other than an organisation or party in the alliance of the ANC in a manner contrary to the aims, policies and objectives of the ANC”.

MK party members at Beyers Naude Square in Johannesburg. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

Jacob Zuma supporters at Beyers Naude Square near Luthuli House. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

Despite the virtual hearing, MK party members gathered at Luthuli House to show support Jacob Zuma. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)

The second charge is that Zuma contravened rule 25.17.13 for “joining or supporting a political organisation or party other than an organisation in alliance with the ANC, in a manner contrary to the aims, objectives and policy of the ANC”.

Last week, Zuma was a no-show at the first virtual meeting. Instead, he sent his ally, Tony Yengeni, to represent him and persuade the NDC to have the hearing in-person, a demand the ANC vehemently rejected.

He also wanted the hearing open to the public.

The party’s national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, previously said this was due to “understandable public interest”.

Read more: Zuma’s ANC disciplinary postponed by call for in-person hearing

The ANC suspended Zuma in January for actively impugning the integrity of the party by campaigning to dislodge it from power. The decision to suspend him was made unanimously by the party’s National Executive Committee.

This was after Zuma’s public announcement that he would no longer vote nor campaign for the ANC led by Cyril Ramaphosa, whom he accused of being against the progress of black South Africans.

The NDC has the jurisdiction to expel from the ANC any member who they find is in contravention of rule 25 of the party’s constitution. It may impose penalties or sanctions for “proven violations of the constitution, other relevant instruments, principles, norms, policies and decisions of the ANC”.

Should Zuma be expelled or sanctioned following the hearing, he will have up to 14 days to contest the findings with the party’s National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal.

Should the NDC expel Zuma, he will be the first former president to be expelled from the party. In June 2023, his ally, former secretary-general Ace Magashule, became the first SG to be expelled from the party.

Read more: Ace Magashule needs to find new home after ANC cracks whip and permanently expels him

The NDC was initially expected to hold the hearing physically in May, but it was postponed for security reasons, according to the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula.

The ANC could not be reached for comment by the time of publishing. Its acting spokesperson, Zuko Godlimpi, previously said a verdict would be announced once the committee had received and reviewed all representations. DM

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