UNDER PRESSURE:
There were clashes outside the ANC headquarters Luthuli House between supporters of President Jacob Zuma and Black First Land First supporters who want Zuma fired. Here ANC secretary general Ace Magashule receives a memorandum from Black First Land First leaders.
ANC MPs who are opposed to President Jacob Zuma are hoping for the convening of a special parliamentary caucus ahead of the State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday.
This comes after the national working committee met yesterday to discuss the future of Zuma, after he reportedly refused to step down when asked by the Top 6 officials on Sunday.
“We are still waiting to hear what the leadership has to say to us. Once it decides, we will take it from there,” said an antiZuma ANC MP, who asked not to be named.
“Comrades don’t like what is happening. He (President Zuma) is causing problems in the movement,” said the MP, adding that it was feared Zuma could use the Sona to make surprise policy announcements.
In December, Zuma announced free education in tertiary institutions days before the national conference in Nasrec in December.
Recently appointed ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule yesterday accepted a memorandum from Black First Land First members, in support of Zuma, outside party headquarters at Luthuli House.
The BLF marched to Luthuli House calling for Zuma to be allowed to serve out his term, this as demands increase for him to step down or be recalled and to not deliver the state of the nation address in Parliament on Thursday.
“I’m happy people can raise issues without fear. I’m happy that you are so disciplined and we will talk about the things you have mentioned.
“I’ll hand over the report and brief them about your discipline,” Magashule, a staunch ally of Zuma, said as he addressed BLF members.
ANC members who had gathered at the party headquarters appeared displeased at Magashule for receiving the memorandum. They jeered while some screamed profanities at him.
“Magushule is a sell out, he’s a thief,” they shouted.
The members of the ruling party had been gathered outside Luthuli House since the morning and had earlier chased away BLF members with sticks and stones when they tried to come close to the building.
Deputy national co-ordinator for BLF, Thandiswa Yaphi, said they would not be intimidated by people who supported white monopoly capital.
“We are against the black ANC people who are in the pockets of white people.”
This notion was dismissed by ANC members who support Ramaphosa, the country deputy president but ANC president. They said BLF is meddling in the internal structures of the ruling party.
“You will realise that in the ANC we are a rainbow nation. Now, when you say Cyril is white monopoly capital, you are insulting the intelligence of the former leaders of the ANC,” said ANC member Lazarus Maumela.
WE ARE AGAINST THE BLACK ANC PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE POCKETS OF WHITE PEOPLE