Support for Zuma ‘straining ANC relations’
NORTH West ANC chairperson Supra Mahumapelo’s support at former president Jacob Zuma’s court appearance has caused more strain on the ruling party’s relationship with the SACP in the troubled province.
At the weekend, the SACP abandoned a meeting scheduled with the ANC and Cosatu.
They vowed not to attend future gatherings between allies, saying Mahumapelo disrespected President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Addressing Zuma supporters outside the Durban High Court on Friday, Mahumapelo said those who were against the support for the former president were mentally challenged and also added that Zuma was still “our president”.
The ANC-led alliance in the North West had planned to hold a political council over the weekend, but the SACP resolved on snubbing the event, saying they would also not be attending future alliance events involving Mahumapelo.
Yesterday, SACP provincial secretary Madoda Sambatha told Independent Media that while the party was part of preparations for the meeting which was eventually called off, it was offended by Mahumapelo’s claim that his president was still Zuma.
“This is a direct attack to the ANC president (Ramaphosa). He knows who was elected the president of the ANC in an ANC conference and that he can no longer call any other person their president when they are still members of the ANC,” Sambatha said.
Sambatha said they would not meet with the ANC until the governing party’s national executive committee took a final decision on the future of the North West provincial structure when it held its special meeting later this month.
SACP national spokesperson Alex Mashilo said the party’s national leaders were expecting an urgent report from their provincial structure on the decision by today.
Mahumapelo could not be reached for comment, while ANC provincial spokesperson Gerald Modise had not responded to questions by the time of going to print.
Cosatu provincial secretary Job Dliso said that while the federation had issues with the ANC, it would not boycott meetings of the alliance.
“We are from a PEC meeting and we have a resolution. Part of the resolution is to engage with all the alliance partners, so we can’t avoid meeting with the ANC. It is our view there must be a political council.”