Sit-in call to force a Zuma exit

JOHANNESBURG: Disgruntled supporters and members of the ANC are set to #OccupyLuthuliHouse next Monday in support of their demands for President Jacob Zuma to step down and for the entire national executive committee (NEC) to go with him.

People took to social media, posting under #OccupyLuthuliHouse, to demand that ANC stalwarts form a task team to take the ruling party to a special national conference to elect a new leadership.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the early conference call, championed by the Youth League, was not a bad idea and that it was being discussed.

However, the SACP has warned against the conference saying it would lead to the deepening of tensions within the Tripartite Alliance.

The party suggested that a consultative conference be held instead, to look at ways of unifying the ruling alliance and overseeing the smooth transition to a new leadership.

The ANC is expected to hold its national elective conference in December 2017.

Bonolo Ramokhele, who is one of the organisers of #OccupyLuthuliHouse, took to Twitter yesterday, posting: “The ANC Youth League is a shadow of its former self and has zero credibility with members on the ground. Similar to ANCWL (Women’s League) and mother-body.”

ANCYL national spokesperson Mlondi Mkhize told Independent Media that they were not aware of “any branch, region or province”, or any structure, that wanted to stage a sit-in at the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg.

He admitted, however, that there may be “groups or individuals wanting to occupy Luthuli House”.

Mkhize said the whole ANC machinery would ensure that the former liberation movement was defended at all costs “from anyone wanting to attack it, whether the attack is coming from within or outside the organisation”.

Yesterday, Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association chairperson and Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Kebby Maphatsoe reportedly said the #OccupyLuthuliHouse demonstrators would find them at the party headquarters in Pixley Seme Street in the Joburg CBD.