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While the ANC on Tuesday simply shrugged as “normal” the tension between former President Jacob Zuma and Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo, political analysts warned that Zuma asking Zondo to recuse himself as chairman of the Commission on Investigation into State Capture could further polarize the situation. AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS.
Alleging that Zondo was biased and harbored a personal vendetta against him, stemming from “a personal, family and professional historical relationship that should have been publicly disclosed,” Zuma has taken an unprecedented step to press for Zondo’s disqualification.
Zuma’s letter followed Zondo’s recent warning during a press conference that the embattled former president “must appear” before the commission from November 16-20 to respond to allegations of state capture.
From illness to alleged preparation for the gun deal case, Zuma’s litany of reasons for evading the commission led Zondo to reject any further negotiation regarding the dates of his appearance.
Commenting on the dispute, ANC spokesperson Dakota Legoete described the tension between Zuma and Zondo as “normal.”
“I think he (Zuma) is exercising his individual right. The former president feels that there is a problem of partiality in the commission, caused by a reprimand through a press conference, which he considers unjustified.
Remember that you did not refuse to appear before the commission where you have previously appeared. The ANC’s position in the commission remains consistent, in the sense that we will continue to cooperate with the investigation and support its work, ”Legoete said.
Independent political analysts, Dr. Ralph Mathekga and Daniel Silke, however, said the standoff is likely to fuel further divisions in the ANC.
Mathekga said: “The letter to Zondo will further divide the party along already defined faction lines. Factionalism has continued to preoccupy the party, rather than focus on real challenges like corruption and the economy.
“This is an exercise that will not help the game in any way. It will compound the problems that already exist, such as divisions between factions.
“The ANC is too divided to effectively tackle the problem of internal divisions, because the internal party structures are too compromised to help heal the rift.”
Coinciding with Mathekga, Silke said: “For the ANC, the negative about the Zuma issue is that this perpetuates the unrest that continues to fuel the factionalism that already exists. The longer Zuma is not effectively dealt with by the courts, the more he will continue to cause unrest and factionalism with the ANC. “
Silke said Zuma was “a worried and nervous man who has gone off on a tangent” in responding to his many legal problems.
“I don’t know what personal issues you are referring to in your letter to Zondo. He is very nervous and concerned that the Zondo commission will further taint him in state capture. He has gone off on a tangent and has tried everything he can.
“This is another attempt on behalf of Zuma to further delay his possible involvement in the state capture. All you are doing is trying to avoid testifying, once again delaying the process.
“So far, this has been a continuation of his old plan, which has been to obfuscate, part of the Stalingrad strategy in which he has been successful so far.
“Using personal matters to try to get Zondo disqualified indicates that he is now playing his last card on avoiding appearing before the commission,” Silke said.
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