ANC’s first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane says the ANC will defend its decision to expel its former president Jacob Zuma from the party in court.
Mokonyane was speaking on Thursday at the ANC’s commemoration event of the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto.
She was joined by ANC regional Johannesburg chairperson and City of Joburg executive mayor Dada Morero, ANC regional Joburg secretary Sasabona Manganye, and ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, among others.
After delivering her keynote address, Mokonyane took questions from members of the media. She was asked about Zuma’s announcement that he is taking ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC to the High Court to set aside the decision the party took to expel him from the ANC.
Zuma challenges expulsion
Mokonyane did not mention Zuma by name when responding to the question.
Zuma announced on Thursday morning that he is taking legal action against the ANC’s decision to expel him. The party expelled him in July last year. And the ANC upheld the decision to expel Zuma from the party in November last year.
“Today (Thursday) we are reminded that we have a former member of the ANC [Jacob Zuma] who was expelled and is taking the ANC to court. Once again, these are the freedoms of this country. In any other democracy that is not based on the will of the people and recognition of the courts, other people would have done something else.
“As the ANC, we will go and defend our stance. We will do that for the good of the organisation. And we really want to be spared this thing that in every platform where we are, this former member [Jacob Zuma] becomes the subject. We are done with this former member. And we are going to court to express our constitutional processes. So that he too can appreciate the will of the people,” said Mokonyane.
Meanwhile, Morero said City of Johannesburg is currently working on a process to refurbish the Walterthe Sisulu Square.
Refurbishment of Walter Sisulu Square
He said the City has set aside a budget to work on refurbishing the Walter Sisulu Square.
Morero said the City is also working on a plan to improve the lives of residents in the Kliptown area.
“The financial year now has put aside a budget [of the City of Joburg] to refurbish and restore the square. We are going to start with the designs of the Square and the appointment of the consultants. We will also deal with the overall Kliptown development.
“The plan will be unveiled. We are engaging with communities in Kliptown. Last week Saturday we had a meeting with the community of Kliptown. And we will have more community meetings. Hopefully by next year there will be a celebration and it will look proper,” said Morero.
Morero did not disclose the exact amount that has been budgeted to refurbish the Walter Sisulu Square.
