Zuma: Let me lead you

The end of President Jacob Zuma's days in power is nigh - but not because of impeachment, a recall or a vote of no confidence.

It will be because of his age, says Zuma, who yesterday described himself as South Africa's "shepherd".

As the lines were drawn for this country's most turbulent post-democracy political battles, Zuma yesterday surrounded himself with 15000 ardent supporters in KwaZulu-Natal.

His speech to his supporters was made only a couple of days after he committed himself to complying with a Constitutional Court order that he pay back a portion of the public money spent on non-security features built as part of the R246-million upgrade of his Nkandla private homestead.

Attending a Water Affairs Department imbizo in Melmoth, near Nkandla, Zuma - speaking publicly for the first time since his prime-time apology to South Africa on Friday night - told supporters: "I am not going to be in power for long because the years have gone by. Don't be fooled by my good looks".

Demanding respect, Zuma's message both to his detractors, including those within the ANC, and to his supporters, was simple: "Let me lead".

"As your shepherd, let me lead you. Among many things that I have been tasked with is to be the president of the country.

"It does not matter whether you are a Zuma or not. At this moment I have been given a task to lead you. I want there to be respect for all."

Dancing in the rain after his speech, Zuma appeared ready for the tumultuous period ahead.

The ANC's national working committee is to meet today and the party is expected to rally around Zuma despite the increasing stridency of calls for him to step down.

A motion that Zuma be impeached is expected to be debated in parliament tomorrow.

The ANC's stance became evident yesterday when National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete said she would not allow a secret ballot in the impeachment vote.

"We'll use the rules we've always used," she said.

Senior ANC members are expected to descend on the Mother City for the impeachment debate.

"It's part of their duty to make sure the leadership that is required at the moment is given, in particular where it is most urgently needed," said National Council of Province's chairman Thandi Modise.

Opposition parties are preparing for war in the National Assembly.

They have begun seeking legal opinion on approaching the Constitutional Court if their call for a secret ballot is denied.

The SA National Defence Union has called on its members to participate in their "private capacity and time" in lawful mass campaigns against Zuma.

The last time soldiers heeded such calls thousands of them stormed the lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The union's call has been slammed by constitutional and defence experts who say it borders on high treason.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said opposition parties would, through the DA, push for Zuma's impeachment and request a secret ballot.

"The Speaker must remember a secret ballot was called for in 2009, which set a precedent.

"If they do not allow this we will consider approaching the Constitutional Court to ask for a ruling.

"A secret ballot allows all to speak their mind, including those in the ANC aggrieved by Zuma."

He said the opposition proposed that the ANC "manage" Zuma and recall him.

"If the ANC resists we foresee the public, through civic organisations, taking to the streets. Our fear is that the state security apparatuses will be used with force to put down any such protests."

Holomisa said that Zuma was not the only problem.

"You can't cure this problem by removing Zuma. Everyone from Cyril [Ramaphosa] down must be removed.

"The MPs are part of the problem. We think parliament must be dissolved and an interim government formed because, as the Constitutional Court said, Zuma and parliament violated the constitution."

DA leader Mmusi Maimane said: "The question is: Can the ANC use its majority to shield someone who's violated the constitution. If they vote [for Zuma], secretly or openly, they will defend someone who has broken the constitution.

"Then every member of parliament who votes in support of Zuma is guilty of breaking their oath of office, which is to uphold the constitution."

EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said Mbete was wrong to "absolve" parliament.

"Both parliament and the president violated the constitution.

"Zuma must resign or he might be physically removed from office."

Constitutional law expert Marinus Wiechers said the chances of political parties succeeding in the Constitutional Court should they ask it to order a secret ballot were slim.

"That's because of the separation of powers. Although the court has expressed itself over matters such as security, [this] would be over internal parliamentary policy, which the court will be loath to become involved in."

He said the constitution made no provision for an interim government.