Indaba to decide on Zuma future

2006-05-09 22:23

Johannesburg - The national executive committee of the African National Congress will hold a special meeting on Sunday to discuss the future of its deputy president, Jacob Zuma, after his acquittal on a rape charge.

"The secretary-general is convening a meeting with the NEC this Sunday, said spokesperson Steyn Speed on Tuesday.

When Zuma was charged in December with raping a 31-year-old, HIV-positive woman at his Johannesburg home, he withdrew from the official duties carried by his post, working only as an "ordinary member".

He also had been "released" as the country's deputy president by President Thabo Mbeki ahead of his corruption trial in July.

Both moves caused outrage among Zuma's supporters and set off a wave of anti-Mbeki messages and insults among the Zuma supporters outside Johannesburg High Court.

Speed said the meeting would be held in Johannesburg and would be closed.

Zuma told a press conference held at Talk Radio 702 on Tuesday that it was up to the party to decide his future, and he would accept what they said.

Denied there's a 'succession battle'

He had already communicated with secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe about his participation in the party.

"The point is, I have never wanted to be a leader - the ANC decides."

He continued: "I have never refused a task given by the ANC and I am not about to do so now."

He denied the presence of a "succession battle" or a "split" within the ANC, saying he had only read about that in the media.

"I don't know that there is any split in the ANC."

He said he and Mbeki, who is also the party's president, had "historically" been good comrades.

"We have always been together."

But since he withdrew from deputy president's duties, they had only spoken "once or twice" because he had not been attending the regular meetings associated with the post.

He had not heard from Mbeki since the rape judgment.

"No, there has been no conversation."

Mbeki's office issued a short statement on Monday, saying: "The presidency respects the independence of the judiciary and accepts the verdict."

Working as ordinary member

He did not want to discuss his views on a possible third term for Mbeki, nor Mbeki's statement last week advocating a female president.

"I wouldn't want to discuss it in the media... That matter is a matter that I would love to discuss within the ANC."

He corrected reports that he had not been active within the ANC, saying he had been working as an ordinary member.

He was willing to take any position the African National Congress called him to.

- SAPA