The KwaZulu-Natal branch of the African National Congress plans to invite former deputy president Jacob Zuma to its Freedom Charter celebrations on June 26, a spokesperson for the party said on Saturday.
Mtholephi Mthimkhulu said the decision was taken at the party’s provincial general council (PGC) which took place at the University of Durban Westville on Saturday.
”The PGC finally resolved to invite the deputy president of the ANC to the Freedom Charter celebrations to be held at Umlazi on Sunday, the 26th of June,” he said in a statement.
The PGC received a ”detailed report” from the provincial leadership on Zuma’s sacking by President Thabo Mbeki, he said.
Zuma was fired by Mbeki on Tuesday after The Durban High Court found that he had a ”generally corrupt” relationship with his financial advisor Schabir Shaik.
Shaik, who was found guilty on fraud and corruption charges, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Hilary Squires two weeks ago.
”The PGC accepts and respects the decision of the president of the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki,” Mthimkhulu said.
”The PGC supports and has full confidence in President Mbeki and comrade Jacob Zuma as president and deputy president of the ANC respectively,” he said.
The meeting, which was attended by more than 500 delegates, was held two days after people attending Youth Day rallies in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga voiced their unhappiness about Zuma’s sacking.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier S’bu Ndebele was pelted with objects by people shouting pro-Zuma slogans as he left a stadium in KwaMashu on Thursday.
In Mpumalanga a crowd which had packed the Matsulu Stadium near Nelspruit chanted anti-Mbeki songs.
Zuma and ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula asked the crowd not to sing badly about Mbeki.
Mthimkhulu said the PGC had resolved to discuss and explain Zuma’s sacking and that Zuma should be given the opportunity to explain his side of the story. – Sapa