‘Nonsense,’ says ANC on reports of Zuma distancing himself

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The African National Congress [ANC] has dismissed allegations that former statesman, Jacob Zuma has distanced himself from the organisation.

Bheki Mtolo, the party provincial secretary in KwaZulu-Natal said Zuma is still a vibrant member of the ruling party.

He said people must understand [Zuma] has for years been instrumental in strengthening efforts aimed at breaking barriers of prejudices.

“He is still an enthusiastic member of the organisation and attends meeting in his branch as he vowed while he was still a statesman as he is vibrant in his area.

“Not long ago he was on the ground campaigning for the ANC in a mini rally in Mandeni, north of Durban. Few month ago, he also campaigned in the by-elections,” Mtolo claims.

He emphasises that Zuma loves people wholeheartedly and has the ability to bridge the gap between rich, poor, urban and rural.

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for contempt of court.

The wily 81-year-old had previously been freed on medical parole – in a move ruled illegal by the courts. Lobby group AfriForum accused South Africa’s correctional services department of helping Zuma evade justice.

Mtolo added by saying despite his arrest nor being recalled as president of the country, he never got bitter.

“All those things didn’t hinder him. This indicates he is a selfless person. He understood the assignment and is a robust member,” he reckon.

Asked if they they deployed Zuma to boost their election machinery, Mtolo responded by saying: “This is not something unique, he did it before.

“He loves his party with all his heart and wants to see the ruling party still govern and the country do well and is a dedicate cadre.”

Even having been recalled by the ANC national leadership in 2018 – a year before completing his second term as the country’s president, Zuma remains popular in his home province of KZN.

The ANC is under pressure from the Inkatha Freedom Party, with the party winning several by-elections, and entering into a moonshot pact with the Democratic Alliance in KZN.

Despite the weight of all his court battles and the corruption allegations levelled against him, Mtolo said they will continue supporting Zuma as they also did to previous ANC [head of state] leaders.

He said it’s their essence to support their leaders.

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“We remain committed to working with our leadership collective. We support anyone who is elected by the party,” he claims.

Mtolo, who is part of the ANC KZN leadership which wants Zuma to play a prominent role in the party’s elections campaign, said that he still has a lot to offer.

The main reason the provincial leadership wants Zuma as frontman in their 2024 election campaign is because they believe no one had the political and popular clout in KZN that Zuma maintains.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri confirmed that the provincial ANC had approached Zuma to assist with the election campaign.

Meanwhile, Zuma has been re-elected as Sanco KwaZulu-Natal chairperson at the organisation’s elective conference held in Durban over the weekend.

He was elected in his absentia as it was believed he was attending the funeral of his family member.

Zuma, who was previously elected Sanco provincial chairperson at the beginning of the year, briefly lost the top position following the disbandment of the organisation’s provincial leadership structure.