There is no decision to remove Zuma – Magashule
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule confirmed that Zuma was discussed at the ANC’s NEC meeting but denied that a decision on him to go was taken.
It is also unclear whether President Jacob Zuma will deliver the State of the Nation Address on February 8 even though it is on his diary, released yesterday. Yesterday the ANC confirmed that its top six officials were tasked with talking to Zuma regarding his future.
Several national executive committee (NEC) members said at the weekend that Zuma’s early departure from the Union Buildings was discussed and agreed on by the top brass when they held their first ordinary meeting.
“Indeed the officials were seized with this matter and the officials will remain seized with this matter,” he said.
“We have not arrived at any decision, we are just saying there are engagements and discussions which will take place between us and President Jacob Zuma,” he said.
An earlier statement by Magashule on the outcomes of the party’s NEC meeting did not mention that Zuma’s fate was discussed.
“The officials, led by president Ramaphosa, will continue their engagement with President Jacob Zuma to ensure effective co-ordination between the ANC and government,” read the statement.
After being pressed to explain the actual decision of the NEC on Zuma’s yesterday, Magashule said the top brass agreed that it must be facilitated by the top six.
“The NEC discussed this matter and we all agreed that this matter is with the officials and there will be interaction between the officials and President Zuma and president Ramaphosa, and there are no timelines,” he said.
When pressed further to explain what he meant by saying the officials were tasked with handling ‘the matter”, Magashule said: “I am talking about that matter and I am saying this issue is an issue which is being discussed, and which was discussed by the NEC”.
Magashule said there was no timeline in dealing with the Zuma matter. Zuma’s office yesterday released his diary and the State of the Nation Address was included in it.
It was also unclear what the party’s top brass will do should Zuma refuse to step down.
Ramaphosa, who is leading team South Africa at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has insisted that Zuma should not be humiliated by the party as it tries to effect the transition. Zuma has been under fire from his detractors accusing him of being involved in state capture.
On the eve of the special NEC meeting in East London, the president caved in and announced the establishment a commission of inquiry into state capture.
Today the head of the commission Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will be briefing the media and fielding “clarity seeking questions”.
WE ARE JUST SAYING THERE ARE ENGAGEMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE