Monday, April 04, 2016

None of Your Business - Mantashe Tells Journalists
2016-04-04 17:00
Genevieve Quintal and Jenna Etheridge, News24

Cape Town - ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe on Monday told journalists that his expectations for the party’s NWC meeting were “none of your business”.

ANC officials started arriving at the President Hotel in Cape Town for the extended national working committee meeting on Monday afternoon.

It followed last week’s Constitutional Court ruling that President Jacob Zuma failed to uphold the Constitution when he did not comply with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's remedial action regarding payment for the upgrades to his Nkandla homestead.

It ruled that the National Assembly also failed to uphold the Constitution when it set aside Madonsela's report.

Since the judgment, calls for Zuma to step down or have the ANC recall him have increased.

On Friday, Zuma went on national television to apologise to the nation, saying he had not "knowingly or deliberately" violated the Constitution. He said it was a “very helpful” judgment.

The ANC had thrown its support behind him.

Mantashe said Zuma had humbled himself. He said opposition parties’ calls to have Zuma removed were intended to tear the ANC apart, which he said would not happen.

Arriving for the meeting on Monday, journalists asked Mantashe about his expectations for the extended NWC.

"None of your business," was his reply.

Officials started arriving for the anticipated meeting around 14:00. Among them were top six officials, ANC treasurer Zweli Mkhize and deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte.

An extended NWC meeting meant it was open to the rest of the national executive committee.

Others arriving for the meeting were ANC head of policy Jeff Radebe, SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande, ANC Youth League president Collen Maine, ANC Women's League leader Bathabile Dlamini, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, and Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

When Maine was asked if the league supported Zuma, he confidently answered "of course".

Dlamini would not entertain questions, saying "hayibo senzeni na [We are attending a meeting here]".

Mbalula said he looked forward to all ANC meetings.

Mapisa-Nqakula said SA Defence Union’s call for Zuma to be removed from office amounted to a coup.

"Whatever political crisis we have, we need a political solution. What it actually amounts to is a coup d’état. A coup will not be allowed in South Africa."

On Tuesday, officials were expected to meet the party's parliamentary caucus. The political committee, headed by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, was also expected to meet.

On Tuesday afternoon, the National Assembly would debate a motion calling for Zuma's impeachment.

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