Ball now in ANC’s court

IT WAS never going to be likely that the ANC’s National Executive Committee would vote to remove Jacob Zuma.

It should not be forgotten that the majority of this NEC, which argued so intensely among each other this weekend, were Zuma supporters when they were first elected.

This is the way the ANC works: the president gets a team that thinks like him – in the beginning of his term at least, and more likely right through it.

We believe, therefore, it is a highly significant development if, according to sources, 18 members were prepared to stand up against the president, and vote against him.

As significant was the fact that more than 50, according to the same sources, were prepared to argue – passionately – for him to stay.

This, in anyone’s books is confirmation of a deeply divided – and therefore wounded – ANC. So, an agitated, angry Zuma will be staying until the end of this term.

This is what his supporters will be hoping for – although it is worth remembering that even a day is a long time in politics.

Meanwhile, the question now being asked is: at what cost?

Few will argue that Zuma is seen by significant numbers of voters throughout the country as damaged goods, a liability to the ANC and to South Africa.

But he should never be written off. He has shown from time to time throughout his presidency that he is one of the wiliest politicians around. Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen said yesterday that Zuma has millions of supporters who are not on Facebook and Twitter and who know what he does for the poor.

Van Rooyen’s opinion should not be mocked.

But neither should those who lost their bid to remove Zuma from office. They did not leave the NEC meeting empty-handed. By ensuring that Brian Molefe would not be allowed to return to the powerful post of head of Eskom, they achieved a victory that might prove highly significant in future.

Acting decisively in matters such as this now, may well convince voters in the post-Zuma era that the ANC is still worth voting for.