Zuma detractors ‘opportunists’

Emotional ANC election campaign head says president’s critics believe they are bigger than the party

CONNIVING, disgruntled opportunists who abandoned the ANC and are out to settle political scores. This is how the driver of the ANC’s election campaign described some of its past leaders who have called on President Jacob Zuma to step down following the Nkandla debacle.

ANC national executive committee (NEC) member and election campaign head Nomvula Mokonyane laid into prominent former leaders Cheryl Carolus, Trevor Manuel and Ronnie Kasrils yesterday, saying they believed they were bigger than the ANC.

Zuma is expected to arrive in Port Elizabeth today as thousands of members and supporters from around the country flock into the city for the party’s manifesto launch on Saturday.

Meanwhile, ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte had a meeting with branches and councillors at the Lillian Ngoyi Hall in Kwazakhele yesterday to discuss Zuma’s Nkandla debacle and the impact of the Constitutional Court judgment on the ANC.

The branches have been tasked with convening general meetings to discuss the judgment and the ANC leadership’s decision to accept Zuma’s apology.

Insiders said Duarte had made it clear that this did not preclude branches from discussing among themselves.

Some are said to have been adamant that the president had to be disciplined as he was denting the party’s image.

“Some people even said it was time Zuma stepped down before he does more damage to the party,” one insider said.

ANC Bay regional task team convener Vuyani Limba said the discussions at the meeting had been robust.

“We urged branches to convene meetings . . . to debate this issue and take decisions collectively,” Limba said.