African National Congress (ANC) Eastern Cape leaders‚ members of Parliament and the Bhisho legislature held marathon talks in Port Elizabeth on Sunday on how to deal with the mounting‚ unprecedented calls for President Jacob Zuma to step down. The province is a key voice in the ANC and its stand on Zuma will carry considerable weight this week as the party goes into critical talks which will ultimately determine Zuma’s fate.Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and Premier Phumulo Masualle were also at the meeting at the city’s council chambers.Provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane stuck to the party line later when asked what their stand was on Zuma’s presidency‚ following last week’s Constitutional Court judgment.“There is an extended [national working committee] meeting [Monday] that we are attending‚” he said.“So the position of the ANC is‚ for now‚ informed by what the national officials have guided the ANC [on].”On Friday‚ ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the party stood behind Zuma.Party insiders‚ however‚ said although some in the ANC’s top six wanted Zuma to go‚ a compromise was reached to put up a united front until all consultations with different structures‚ including branches‚ were completed.Asked if the Eastern Cape ANC’s public stance on Zuma could change depending on the outcome of a second meeting that was still ongoing on Sunday night‚ Mabuyane said “yes”.“But‚ remember‚ the ANC is not a federal organisation‚” he said.“It is a unitary organisation. We’ve never had a situation where the lower structure will have different interpretations on organisational matters.”However‚ insiders claimed Sunday’s behind-the-scenes talks laid bare that while the president still had support from some in the province‚ the ground had shifted‚ as key figures who had supported him in the Mangaung elective conference were changing allegiances.It is also understood that the party has taken cognisance of the overwhelming negative sentiments expressed against Zuma by ANC members on social media.Former regional chairman Nceba Faku received praise this weekend from several ANC members after posting on Facebook his disappointment with Zuma’s apology on Friday.“What kind of discipline enforcement example are we making?” Faku wrote.“If people know that there are no consequences of their [ill-disciplined] actions‚ then any member can drag our organisation in the mud.“This is not an opposition pointscoring matter‚ this is about keeping the ANC’s integrity and upholding its values. I am more than disappointed.“If the president had nothing to say‚ he should have just kept quiet‚ please.“We are adults and we know the ANC.”In another post‚ he wrote: “Internally‚ the ANC‚ its leagues and alliance have a moral dilemma.“You do what is right for the organisation and the country or you do what you are told but is against your conscience.”A regional ANC member said Faku’s statements represented the views of many who were frustrated but were still too scared to speak up against what they believed was Zuma’s lack of integrity.Political analyst Dr Somadoda Fikeni said it was extremely important that Faku had taken a stand and commented on his stance on Zuma.“He is well known as the former regional chairman and probably has many followers or a constituency‚” Fikeni said.“He may be reflecting out loud how his many followers feel.”Mabuyane said part of the ANC’s consultation process‚ which begins this week‚ would be to hold special regional councils.“Branches of the ANC en masse will be brought onboard to understand the detail‚” he said. “So the knee-jerk kind of reaction to the Concourt decision is not going to help us.“We must have a consolidated approach‚ so that we can speak with one voice.”Zuma is expected to launch the ANC’s municipal election manifesto in Port Elizabeth on Saturday next week.Asked how a compromised Zuma would stand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and try to convince voters that‚ under his leadership‚ the ANC cared about making its cities work‚ Mabuyane said: “Remember he is compromised as far as where you are coming from.“We do not deny all that has been said.“He himself stood up to accept the responsibility and apologised to the public on the judgment.“To us he remains the leader of the ANC and the face of the ANC.”The Transformation Christian Network‚ which represents some of the biggest churches in the Bay‚ called on MPs to act in accordance with their conscience when debating on whether or not Zuma should be impeached.“Our prayer is that you act on the basis of your mandate‚ not on the basis of what is strategic for your party or selves‚” the group said.“We need leadership we trust and respect. Leadership that embodies the values laid out in our constitution.“We need leadership that acts in the interest of all South Africans.”Meanwhile‚ ANC alliance partner the SACP called for an urgent meeting with the ruling party‚ saying it was time for introspection.“The ANC leadership needs to reflect critically on the capacities and motives of a circle of informal presidential courtiers‚ flatterers‚ patrons‚ factionalists and hangers-on‚” it said.“It is a circle that‚ in our view‚ continuously and prejudicially exposes the Presidency.” - additional reporting by Lee Anne Butler – TMG Digital/The Herald..