‘Zuma must go or face pain in parliament’ — ANC faction warns
Senior ANC leaders led the charge for President Jacob Zuma to be removed as head of state during the governing party's national executive committee meeting yesterday.
The meeting is expected to continue today, when Zuma's backers are expected to fight for the president's survival.
Insiders said ANC policy guru Joel Netshitenzhe fired the first salvo by raising concerns about the state of the party under Zuma, the lack of confidence society had in the ANC and the growing list of scandals involving the president.
Deputy Health minister Joe Phaahla is said to have backed Netshitenzhe by citing the ANC's disastrous performance during last year's local government elections as a reason Zuma had to be removed.
Sue van de Merwe, a former deputy minister of international relations, and others also joined the charge against Zuma.
Leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Zuma loyalists stood up for their man.
Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association chairman Kebby Maphatsoe, a Zuma backer, is said to have told the meeting that calls for the president to go were "nonsensical".
By the time the meeting had adjourned at around 6pm yesterday, it was unclear which side enjoyed majority support.
Zuma opened the meeting yesterday by delivering his political overview, which was described as "superficial".
Sources said a proposal was tabled to select 10 senior leaders to form a panel to adjudicate on the calls for Zuma to go.
"There is consensus that a team of 10 people be put together to work out proposals. There are motivations for him to step down and not stepping down. So the group would have to look at the balance of evidence and then make a recommendation," a source said.
This comes after a call for a secret vote on Zuma's future was shot down, with the majority of those at the meeting saying the NEC did not traditionally vote on matters.
A Zuma sympathiser who was at the NEC vowed to block any attempt to vote on the matter.
"We won't vote. You can't remove a sitting president.
"The constitution is clear - the NEC can't take decisions that are above the constitution and conference resolutions," said the leader.
Insiders said real discussion began after ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe delivered the national working committee report to the NEC.
"We could not debate Zuma's report, he said nothing. The real issues came in [Mantashe's] report," the source said.
Mantashe told the media yesterday that Zuma's removal was not on the agenda, but the call was made regardless of this.
The anti-Zuma faction was confident that it enough numbers to gain a consensus on the president's removal, but his supporters said his detractors were not raising anything new.
Zuma is said to have sat silently during the meeting.
Part of the strategy to remove Zuma through the NEC meeting was to point out the growing number of scandals involving the president and his friends the Guptas since the last discussion on his fate took place at an NEC meeting in November.
"Most people, even the president, [are] saying six months is not long ... let him see out his term ... We are saying we can't do it. The country cannot afford it. Look how much damage was done since November. And we are not only talking about the reshuffle," the source said.
In November, Derek Hanekom, who was tourism minister at the time, tabled a motion for Zuma to step down, but it was defeated.
Since then, Zuma reshuffled his cabinet, firing five ministers, all off whom are NEC members, and one deputy minister, without consulting ANC leaders.
The removal of Pravin Gordhan as finance minister led to S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings swiftly downgrading South Africa's foreign-denominated debt to subinvestment grade, or junk status, citing policy uncertainty.
Moody's Investors Service placed the country on review and is expected to make a rating decision on Friday.
The source said Gordhan raised concerns at the meeting but did not make an open call for Zuma to be removed.
On the controversy surrounding the reappointment of Brian Molefe as Eskom CEO, the meeting supported Mantashe's call for the decision to be rescinded.
The NEC meeting was scheduled to start on Friday, but began yesterday morning with Zuma's political report.
THOSE AGAINST ZUMA
1) Bheki Cele
2) Rob Davies
3) Enoch Godongwana
4) Pravin Gordhan
5) Derek Hanekom
6) Zizi Kodwa
7) Tina Joemat-Pettersson
8) Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
9) Fikile "Slovo" Majola
10) Tito Mboweni
11) Joyce Moloi-Moropa
12) Angie Motshekga
13) Mathole Motshekga
14) Aaron Motsoaledi
15) Jackson Mthembu
16) Joel Netshitenzhe
17) Thulas Nxesi
18) Blade Nzimande
19) Naledi Pandor
20) Joe Phaahla
21) Jeff Radebe
22) Ngoako Ramatlhodi
23) Lindiwe Sisulu
24) Stone Sizani
25) Max Sisulu
26) Gwede Mantashe
27) Cyril Ramaphosa
28) Zweli Mkhize
29) Oscar Mabuyane
30) Paul Mashatile
31) Hope Papo
32) Stan Mathabatha
33) Zamani Saul
34) Faiez Jacobs
35) Khaya Magaxa
36) Senzeni Zokwana
37) Thenjiwe Mtintso
38) Thoko Didiza
39) Siyabonga Cwele
40) Sibusiso Ndebele
41) Deshi Ngxanga
42) Gugile Nkwinti
43) Billy Masetlha
44) Ebrahim Ebrahim
45) Philly Mapulane
SUPPORT FOR ZUMA
1) Bathabile Dlamini
2) Ruth Bhengu
3) Lynne Brown
4) Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
5) Obed Bapela
6) Sdumo Dlamini
7) David Mahlobo
8) Kebby Maphotsoe
9) Humphrey Mmemezi
10) Nomvula Mokonyane
11) Nathi Mthethwa
12) Sisi Ntombela
13) Sisisi Tolashe
14) Pam Tshwete
15) Fikile Xasa
16) Tony Yengeni
17) Lindiwe Zulu
18) Ace Magashule
19) Supra Mahumapelo
20) Dakota Lekgoete
21) Sihle Zikalala
22) Super Zuma
23) Collen Maine
24) Njabulo Nzuza
25) William Bulwane
26) Matuba Meokgo
27) Knocks Seabi
28) Jessie Duarte
29) Baleka Mbete
30) Lungi Gcabashe
31) Pule Mabe
32) Malusi Gigaba
33) Zoleka Capa
34) Mildred Oliphant
35) Edna Molewa
36) Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
37) Maite Nkoana-Mashabane
38) Nocawe Mafu
39) Sam Mashinini
40) Susan Shabangu
41) Pinky Moloi
NOT KNOWN WHERE THEY STAND
1) Ayanda Dlodlo
2) Nomaindia Mfeketo
3) Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba
4) Rejoice Mabudafhasi
5) Dikeledi Magadzi
6) Regina Mahaule
7) Jane Manganye
8) Joyce Mashamba
9) Fikile Mbalula
10) Pinky Mokoto
11) Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele
12) Dipuo Peters
13) Miriam Segabutla
14) Rosina Semenya
15) Sue van der Merwe
16) David Mabuza
17) Mandla Ndlovu
18) Phumulo Masualle
19) Natso Khumalo
20) Mcebisi Skwatsha