Cold reception to announcement that ANC’s top brass wants to meet with Zuma

By Mark Ogagan

A member of the Radical Economic Transformation (RET) faction within the ANC who is a staunch Jacob Zuma backer has dismissed the announcement by the governing party that its top brass intend to meet the former president, describing the move as a “hollow gesture” aimed at gaining popularity with party members and the voting public.

Nkosentsha Shezi, of ward 41 in eThekwini region, was reacting to reports that the ANC leadership would meet Zuma before the ANC birthday celebrations at Mangaung, in the Free State this weekend, where party president Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the keynote address.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula had said during a briefing on Tuesday that there would be an engagement with Zuma.

The former president has launched a private prosecution case against Ramaphosa in connection with his matter against State advocate Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan.

Shezi accused the current leadership of trying to use Zuma to gain public support before the elections next year.