Not the time to axe Zuma

Ngwako Modjadji

It will be interesting to see if the ANC’s post-election assessment and consultation with branches heals the divided party. There is no doubt the ANC is facing its worst crisis ever, with factional battles raging within the 104-year-old movement.

The two branches in the Eastern Cape that have reportedly said Zuma must go are not the lone voices.

ANC national executive committee (NEC) members will visit Limpopo, North West and Free State this weekend to conduct a post-election analysis to act on the concerns raised by the people during the election campaign.

The ANC suffered serious setbacks in the recent local government elections.

But the question is: Will NEC members listen to the branches?

What irks me is that ANC delegates are even told how to vote when they go to elective conferences.

In addition to KwaZulu-Natal, North West and Free State provinces, which are led by Zuma allies – Supra Mahumapelo and Ace Magashule – are likely to pour cold water on calls for Zuma to go.

Limpopo is the only province that can come out singing a different tune. But the province is divided between those who want Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed Zuma as an ANC leader – and ultimately as head of state in 2019 – and those who support the ANC Youth League and ANC Women’s League calls for a woman president.

My message to ANC members who want Zuma to go is: Just chill. Zuma is going nowhere. He is going to finish his term of office.

After all, the NEC – the ANC’s highest decision-making body – has no teeth. I don’t see the NEC telling Zuma: “Mr President, it is time that you go.” The NEC is dominated by Zuma’s allies.

For the sake of unity in the ANC, Zuma should be allowed to finish his term. Attempts to recall him will deepen divisions in the party.

This became evident when former president Thabo Mbeki was removed nine months before the end of his term in 2008. ANC members who sympathised with Mbeki, left to form the Congress of the People.

Yes, the ANC is in trouble but that does not mean hasty decisions should be taken.

Zuma will leave when it is time for him to go and not because some ANC members want him to go.