Zuma supporters will back him to the hilt

Jacob Zuma’s supporters in the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) will fight to the bitter end to save him – even if that means bringing the ANC down in ruins.

So says leading political and economic analyst Zamikhaya Maseti, who noted that the anti-Zuma faction would have battled at this weekend’s NEC meeting in Pretoria to topple a leader who has proved not only that he is resilient, but that he has supporters prepared to back him all the way.

The NEC remained locked in debate behind closed doors until late last night following a noconfidence motion proposed on Saturday by party policy expert Joel Netshitenzhe.

The Sunday Times estimated yesterday that 45 NEC members were opposed to Zuma and 41 favoured him to stay, while the feelings of a further 20 were unknown.

No media was allowed into the venue as security was tight at the entrance to St George’s Hotel in Irene, where the leadership met from Friday. At the weekend, Sunday Times and City Press revealed new damning details of an alleged plan by Zuma to move to Dubai. It also reported that a series of e-mails allegedly showed that that the Guptas were “r0unning South Africa”. At Irene, the NEC kept mum on its deliberations yesterday while journalists camped outside the gates, hoping for a statement on the gathering’s outcome.

They know that when he goes, they will go.

The ANC said later it would hold a press conference today.

Maseti said he doubted Zuma would be removed.

“Zuma loyalists have a significant presence in the NEC.

“They will continue with their crusade to defend the emperor, even if it means going down with the ANC. It is no longer about Zuma but about themselves,” Maseti said.

“They know that when he goes, they will also go,” he added.

Another analyst, Ralph Mathekga, said: “If there was a properly thought through plan regarding the motion from within the ANC, it would not be so publicised.” if