The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal said it will investigate who incited crowd members to shout pro-Jacob Zuma slogans while Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka tried to address them on Women’s Day.
Mlambo-Ngcuka was booed as she tried to deliver her speech at Utrecht, despite calls by members of the provincial leadership, including Premier Sibusiso Ndebele, for calm.
”We may be forced to invoke our party disciplinary procedures if this persists,” provincial spokesperson Mtholephi Mthimkhulu said on Thursday.
He said the disruption of a government and public event will not be condoned and that Zuma, the party’s deputy president, will not condone what was done in his name. He said Zuma will also not allow a situation that could ”destroy the ANC” for which he has fought his entire life.
”Bringing the name of the ANC into disrepute is unacceptable and the membership of those cadres can be revoked. It happened with Bantu Holomisa and Sifiso Nkabinde. If people continue to be disruptive [with] this nonsense, they will no longer be tolerated,” Mthimkhulu said.
He said the crowd’s behaviour has also brought Zuma’s name into disrepute.
”Being derisive in the ANC is not allowed. We have many structures in our organisations where people can air their grievances if they have any.
”Whatever view expressed by this group did not represent that of the majority of ANC membership. We call on all disciplined cadres … to ensure that they isolate these unruly elements who bring the name of the ANC into disrepute,” Mthimkhulu said.
Former deputy president Zuma was sacked earlier this year and charged with two counts of corruption after his financial adviser and long-time friend Schabir Shaik was found guilty on two charges of corruption and one of fraud, all linked to Zuma.
Mthimkhulu said there is no division in the party over Zuma. He said the ANC has been ”criss-crossing” the province to explain the party’s stance on Zuma.
”His relief [dismissal] from the government was a matter clearly explained by the president of our republic. He enjoys our full confidence and the court will regard him as innocent until otherwise proven,” said Mthimkhulu.
He said ANC members have the responsibility to protect the names of their leaders whose names could be abused by people with ”sinister agendas”.
Zuma is to go on trial in October. There has been much support for him since he was sacked, and thousands of people held a night vigil at the Durban Magistrate’s Court recently before his first appearance. — Sapa