EFF leader Julius Malema has come out in support of President Jacob Zuma after the President was served with a notice of a criminal trial. Malema vowed that Zuma will not be returned to prison if the matter eventually proceeds to court.
Malema has been vocal in his support of Zuma and has argued for the charges against Zuma to be dismissed. He implored the ANC to mobilize people from the grassroots of the organization in order to protect the former President.
The Branch Leadership Committee of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal released a statement which expressed the anxiety its members feel over the charges against Zuma. It called for restraint from all stakeholders, including Zuma, his supporters, the opposition, the courts and government.
It further appealed to all parties to await the outcome of the legal proceedings before making any bold statements.
While Malema is determined to back Zuma and rally the youth of the ANC behind him, the KwaZulu-Natal branch is taking a more conciliatory approach. Its appeal for restraint is an effort to ensure the legal process is respected and is not hamstrung by political grandstanding.
The ANC, meanwhile, has strengthened its support for the criminal justice system in South Africa since the news of Zuma’ imminent trial. The party’s National Executive Committee, the highest decision making body within the party has repeatedly stated that it will allow the judicial process to take its course and that it respects the independence of the courts.
Zuma-related tension within the ranks of the ANC has been steadily rising since the news of the trial was announced and both sides of the political divide, Malema and the KwaZulu-Natal Branch, are trying to take an approach that takes into account the sensitive nature of the Zuma saga. Malema still firmly believes that the charges against Zuma should be dismissed and his supporters should mobilize to ensure the former President is protected, while the KwaZulu-Natal Branch is urging all sides to restrain from public rhetoric while the proceedings are underway.
