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.
Courtsey- News24.com

-TDN
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Johannesburg – In an unusual turn of events, Gauteng Hawks head Prince Mokotedi was present during Paul O’Sullivan’s bail proceedings in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

According to well-placed sources, Mokotedi had been in closed meetings with State prosecutors and the Hawks to discuss the case against O’Sullivan.

When asked by reporters why he was present during an immigration court case, Mokotedi declined to comment.

O’Sullivan was granted R20 000 bail with set conditions. He was expected back in court on May 6.

The forensic investigator was instructed to report to the Sandton police station daily. He was also instructed to surrender his passports to the investigating officer, not to apply for any travel documents, not to leave Gauteng and not to go within a 5km radius of any international airport.

‎O’Sullivan was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday night for contravening the Immigration Act after he was found in possession of three passports. He was with his ‎family.

The Hawks said they had received a tip-off from the Department of Home Affairs that someone was using multiple passports.

For more http://www.news24.com

Durban – President Jacob Zuma on Sunday urged black people – also those who belong to parties other than the ANC – to work together or risk having the country slip out of their hands.

Speaking to a crowd in his home province in KwaZulu-Natal, he said black people who belong to other political parties needed to go back to the drawing board and work together.

“They will take the country away [from] your hands or they will use others to ask you to vote with them,” he gave a thinly veiled warning, adding they needed to use their power to vote or continue to suffer.

For more http://www.news24.co.za

FILE. SANDF chief, General Solly Shoke (pictured) says the National Devfence Force Union’s calls for President Zuma to resign is provocative and incites SANDF members, which is illegal. Photo: AFP PHOTO / STRINGER

JOHANNESBURG – The Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Solly Shoke, has raised concerns about the statement issued by the SA National Defence Union.

The Sandu has joined calls for President Jacob Zuma to step down, saying it would support any lawful means to have him removed.

The union says that people with unconstitutional dirt on their hands cannot be expected to command the SANDF with integrity.

General Shoke says this is provocative and incites SANDF members, which is illegal.

The union represents the armed forces and claims to have 16,000 members.

– eNCA