ANC orders Jacob Zuma to attend disciplinary hearing

The ANC has served its former president and now leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, Jacob Zuma, with a notice to appear before a disciplinary hearing for contravening party rules. 

Zuma is technically still a member of the ANC, although he was suspended from the party in January.

The hearing comes after Zuma declared his support for the MK Party.

Zuma remains a member of the ANC.

The party’s disciplinary committee has set down the matter for next Tuesday.

THE MATTER WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY 

The ANC says Zuma has contravened a number of its rules, including collaborating with another party.

Meanwhile, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party has told EWN that its leader, Zuma, will present himself before the committee on Tuesday. 

 “He has nothing to hide,” said Nhlamulo Ndhlela, the MK Party’s spokesperson.

THE MK SAYS ZUMA WILL PRESENT HIMSELF BEFORE COMMITTEE  

Earlier this week, the police said they were investigating if the group forged supporters’ signatures to register for the general elections.

The latest investigation into the MK Party came after City Press reported that a former party official told police there was an elaborate scheme to forge some of the 15,000 signatures required for parties by the Electoral Commission of SA.

THIS COMES AFTER THE POLICE CONFIRMED THEIR INVESTIGATION 

The Independent Electoral Commission called for a “speedy” probe.

Ndhlela reportedly told the media that the MK Party welcomed the police investigation.

The spokesperson described the author of the accusations as a party volunteer who became disgruntled after the party rejected him from its parliamentary list.

Former president Jacob Zuma remains popular in some parts of the country.

THE ANC TRIED TO FORCE THE MK TO DROP ITS NAME AND LOGO

Last month, the 82-year-old thwarted attempts to stop him or his new party from contesting the general election at the end of May.

The ANC tried to force the MK to drop its name and logo.

According to a BBC report, this is because it is named after the now-disbanded armed wing of the ANC, which fought against white-minority rule that ended with the election of anti-Apartheid hero Nelson Mandela in 1994.

THE COURT HEARD THE MATTER LAST MONTH

The ANC argued that the use of the name, which translates as Spear of the Nation, breached trademark law and would lead to voter confusion in the upcoming May polls.

The judge disagreed.