Latest news with #JacobZuma
News24
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
ANC fights back against Zuma's court challenge to overturn his expulsion
Former president Jacob Zuma has filed a court challenge to overturn the ANC's disciplinary process that led to his expulsion, arguing procedural flaws and intimidation by ANC officials. Zuma claims the ANC's national disciplinary committee unilaterally scheduled hearings when his representatives were unavailable and accuses secretary-general Fikile Mbalula of intimidation during the process. The ANC has filed a notice to oppose Zuma's application and promises to submit its answering documents at a later stage. The ANC has moved to block former president Jacob Zuma's bid to return to the party, filing court papers to oppose his legal challenge against his expulsion. City Press understands that the party filed a notice of intention to oppose Zuma's Johannesburg High Court application on 25 July, in which he argues his disciplinary process was unlawful and seeks reinstatement to the ANC. READ: Jacob Zuma challenges ANC expulsion in court, citing intimidation and procedural irregularities Zuma's application at the same court, filed on 8 July, shows that the Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) leader contends that the process leading to his expulsion as a member of the ANC in November last year was 'irregular and illegal'. He claims that the ANC's national disciplinary committee (NDC) unilaterally determined the hearing dates despite his representatives being unavailable at the time, on 23 July last year. In the notice, the ANC, with President Cyril Ramaphosa cited as a respondent, indicates that its answering papers and all the necessary documents to substantiate its case will be submitted at a later stage. The ANC and Cyril Ramaphosa hereby give notice of the intention to oppose the notice of motion and appoint the address at the attorneys set out in the notice of motion as the address where all documents in the matter will be served ANC legal papers The contentious legal action by Zuma comes as the ANC's disciplinary committee found him guilty of 'prejudicing the integrity' of the party by joining the MKP and has given him three weeks to appeal against its ruling. In his court papers, he highlights procedural flaws that led to the verdict of his expulsion. A pre-hearing conference was not held, despite being expressly directed by the NDC. 'A pre-hearing conference is an important feature of a fair hearing and not just a mere optional formality,' his papers state. Zuma also alleges that his representatives were subjected to intimidation at the hands of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. According to the court papers, Mbalula allegedly sent WhatsApp messages to Tony Yengeni, Zuma's representative in the hearing. The alleged messages from Mbalula to Yengeni read: 'Who do you think you are, to destroy the ANC, and who are you, Tony?' Zuma further states that Yengeni regarded Mbalula's actions as bizarre and unconstitutional. 'He correctly regarded Mbalula's conduct as insulting, intimidating and a breach of the spirit of the ANC constitution. I agreed with his view and, after he reported the incident to me, I instructed him to raise it with the NDC at the earliest convenience, in the hope that the ANC would take appropriate action against such blatant misconduct,' read the court papers. He further asserts that the ANC failed to provide him with the heads of argument, an omission he regards as a violation of his constitutional rights.
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : Polisario secures gains at South Africa summit
The Polisario Front made significant gains at the recent edition of the « liberation movements » summit, hosted in South Africa by the African National Congress (ANC). On Sunday, July 27, Mohamed Yeslem Beissat, the Front's representative at the event, engaged in discussions with the presidents of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. These nations, alongside Algeria, represent the remaining steadfast allies of the Polisario Front in Africa. During the summit, the four heads of state reiterated their commitment to supporting «the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination» and the «organization of a referendum» in the Sahara through their speeches. Just two days prior, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Mozambique successfully rallied the entire regional bloc to endorse a memorandum of cooperation signed on April 2 with the Polisario during a meeting of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) foreign ministers in Tanzania. This backing for the separatist movement's stance comes nearly two weeks after former South African President Jacob Zuma voiced his support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara while in Rabat.
Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Zuma's endorsement of Moroccan occupation sparks renewed debate on Western Sahara's future
More and more countries — and former SA president Jacob Zuma — are backing Rabat's plan for autonomy for Western Sahara. Former South African president Jacob Zuma's visit to Morocco and endorsement of its continued occupation of Western Sahara as an autonomous region, have rekindled debate about this contentious and ongoing issue. Zuma, who now heads the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, met Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat last week. Zuma formed MK just before South Africa's national elections last year, as the then-governing ANC was moving to expel him. MK raked in 15% of the vote, contributing to the ANC losing its majority for the first time since 1994. MK cited a long list of explanations for abandoning the cause of Sahrawi independence, which Zuma espoused as president and the ANC still vigorously champions. MK's reasons included pan-Africanism, anti-colonialist solidarity, traditional leadership, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The anti-colonial argument was ironic given that the ANC views Morocco's claim over Western Sahara as colonialism and supports UN efforts to hold a referendum on the issue. Despite the rhetoric, most of Zuma and Morocco's critics — including MK's former secretary-general Floyd Shivambu and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula — suspect Zuma and MK sold out for money or other material gain. That is certainly credible given Zuma's history of corruption and State Capture while president. Those same critics believe material interests are the main reason Rabat has been making steady progress in switching the allegiance of international and African states. 'With Morocco's typical use of money, I am not surprised by Zuma's move,' a retired South African diplomat told ISS Today. 'He has fallen into Morocco's strategic campaign to get African countries to endorse its plan. 'In effect, Zuma's endorsement changes nothing but causes confusion, which I guess is part of Morocco's intention.' The retired diplomat didn't see the South African government or ANC shifting their positions 'any time soon'. And didn't think this represented new thinking. It was noteworthy, however, that Morocco treated Zuma almost as a foreign minister. This was possibly to embarrass Pretoria, which is among Africa's most ardent supporters of independence for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Or perhaps the aim was to shift South Africa's position. But Chrispin Phiri, the spokesperson of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, told ISS Today: 'Our foreign policy is fundamentally shaped by our constitutional values and enduring national interests, not by the transient political manoeuvrings of any single figure or party. 'It's crucial to distinguish between the particular agenda of former president Zuma and his political faction, and the broader, more permanent aspirations of the nation itself. To conflate the two would be an error of the highest order. Mr Zuma and his party, like any political entity, operate as non-state actors.' It is difficult to assess how many states back Morocco's autonomy position. But support is growing internationally with the US, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE — and, just this week — Portugal backing Morocco. In Africa the tally is murkier, though experts and media reports suggest Morocco is gaining ground. They indicate it now has around 23 supporters — most in West Africa, versus about 18 countries — mainly in southern Africa, backing Western Sahara independence or at least the right to a referendum on the issue. Significant victory Morocco was reported to have scored a significant victory in May when Kenya, which had hitherto firmly supported the SADR's right to self-determination, expressed its support for Morocco's autonomy plan. Ghana did the same in June. However, the Polisario Front that governs the SADR has also won a few points. This year, its major champion Algeria twice defeated Morocco for African Union (AU) positions, both as AU deputy chair and in retaining North Africa's seat on the Peace and Security Council. Nonetheless, the former South African diplomat said he was surprised by Kenya and Ghana's recent switch. He added that 'countries would have to think deeply and decide whether they would want to undermine African unity, which is one of the foundational principles of the AU'. Liesl Louw-Vaudran, AU expert at the International Crisis Group, says Morocco has made gradual progress in its campaign for recognition of its autonomy position, globally and in Africa. 'And I think Kenya is a very important country, continentally, at the UN and in the AU.' She also believes Rabat has succeeded in neutralising the issue in Africa. In 2018, shortly after Morocco rejoined the AU, Louw-Vaudran and Christian Ani wrote that the AU's decision to largely leave the Western Sahara issue to the UN had been 'a big win for Morocco, which believes the AU-led efforts are biased'. Louw-Vaudran told ISS Today this week that since then, Western Sahara was no longer discussed as a crisis within the AU, including in its Peace and Security Council. 'South Africa… and some other countries are still trying to support Western Sahara, but it's no longer such a huge emotional, explosive issue, because Morocco really is, apart from South Africa, achieving its goal to stifle any debate about the Western Sahara within the AU. It has got more and more countries siding with it, like Kenya now.' Louw-Vaudran said that despite rumours that Morocco would launch a campaign to get the SADR expelled from the AU, it hasn't happened. With strong opposition from the likes of South Africa and Algeria, 'it would be very, very difficult'. Sceptical SADR Foreign Minister Mohamed Beisat is sceptical about claims that Morocco is gaining support for its autonomy plan. He told ISS Today that Kenya and Ghana's reported switches had only been announced in joint statements with Morocco — not in their own statements. He added that it was irrelevant what any other country or leader thought. 'They want the world to vote in the referendum instead of the Sahrawis themselves,' he said, referring to the UN decision that the Sahrawis must hold a referendum to decide on independence, autonomy or integration with Morocco. Morocco now insists that the option of independence is off the table. 'I don't see the point of Mr Zuma to choose for the Sahrawis or Mr Marco Rubio or Mr Macron or Mr Netanyahu or anyone else. The choice is for the Sahrawis.' That is true. But in Zuma's case, it appears that in an increasingly transactional, self-interested world, many countries and others are backing Morocco's plan because it has something concrete to offer — from fertilisers to tourism, fisheries and renewable energies. SADR by comparison, sadly, does not. DM
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
MKP, Morocco Alliance A Betrayal of the Saharawi Struggle
Sahrawi refugees attend the military parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Polisario Front and the outbreak of the armed struggle for the independence of Western Sahara in Aousserd in Tindouf southwest of Algiers, Algeria, May 20, 2023. Image: AFP Reneva Fourie The Umkhonto we Sizwe Party's (MKP) growing relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco, as laid out in the document titled 'A Strategic Partnership for African Unity, Economic Emancipation and Territorial Integrity: Morocco', was recently strengthened during a high-profile visit to Morocco by MKP leader, Jacob Zuma. This deepening alliance raises serious questions about the MKP's ideological commitments and political motivations, especially in light of Morocco's controversial political stance and human rights record. MKP's partnership with a country with deep links to Israel – and one that has been complicit in the ongoing occupation and human rights violations against the Saharawi people – is a marked departure from the party's earlier messaging as a champion of anti-colonialism and African self-determination. Rather than standing in solidarity with the oppressed, MKP now appears to be embracing and legitimising imperialist interests, thereby aligning itself with Western political and economic agendas on the continent. Morocco's relationship with Israel is particularly contentious and is rejected by significant segments of its population. On 10 December 2020, the US government announced a normalisation agreement between Israel and Morocco. By 22 December 2020, the two countries signed a joint statement committing to initiate direct flights to enhance economic collaboration and establish full diplomatic ties. As part of this arrangement, the US agreed to recognise Morocco's annexation of Western Sahara and endorsed Morocco's autonomy proposal as the only framework for negotiations. Among Morocco's acts of complicity in Israel's current genocide in Gaza is allowing an Israeli warship to dock at Tangier for refuelling and resupplying while en route from the US. In openly supporting Morocco's position on Western Sahara, the MKP has abandoned its previous support for the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The party's endorsement of Morocco's so-called autonomy proposal, a model widely spurned by the Saharawi people, represents a profound betrayal of Africa's last colony and a reversal of MKP's previously stated values. This change in posture was publicly confirmed by former MKP Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu during a media briefing held on 19 June. Shivambu alleged that following his removal from the party, MKP reversed its pro-Western Sahara position and quietly adopted a pro-Moroccan outlook. More alarmingly, he revealed that this change was transactional. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He said: 'You can see that statement which is issued in the name of MKP is written by the Moroccan embassy here in South Africa to impose a position on MK on the basis that there would be money exchanges. ' This revelation endorses speculation around the commodification of MKP's foreign policy. A party that earlier claimed to be rooted in progressive, pan-Africanist values now appears to be for sale to the highest bidder. In aligning with Morocco, MKP is turning its back not only on the Saharawi people but also on SA's historical and principled stance in support of decolonisation, justice, and international law. The betrayal is not just political; it is also historical. MKP's formation was controversial from the start, particularly due to its appropriation of the name 'Umkhonto we Sizwe', the military wing established by the ANC and SACP, that had fought bravely against apartheid. In adopting this name, the party sought to draw legitimacy from a liberation movement it does not authentically represent. Now, the MKP is further distorting history by omitting key facts, such as the role of Algeria's National Liberation Front (FLN) – which had resistance bases operating from the Moroccan border – in training Nelson Mandela. By erasing this history, MKP not only misleads the public but also insults the legacy of those who fought for Africa's true liberation. The MKP's foreign policy shift brings it uncomfortably close to the Democratic Alliance (DA), a party long criticised for undermining SA's official positions on international solidarity. Like the DA, MKP now travels abroad to make pronouncements that directly contradict SA's stated policies and undermine the dignity of its people. One of the most disturbing displays of this was the presence of the South African flag next to that of Morocco during an MKP press briefing in the country. The use of national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign governments is deeply deceptive. It not only misrepresents the country's position but also compromises its sovereignty and diplomatic integrity. SA's position on Western Sahara has long been consistent with international law. Since 2004, it has officially recognised the SADR and called for a United Nations-backed referendum on independence. The UN classified Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory as early as 1963. General Assembly resolutions 2072 and 2229 emphasised the need for a self-determination process. In 1975, Spain conferred administrative control of the territory to Morocco and Mauritania, ignoring UN resolutions and the rights of the Saharawi people. This led to the formation of the Polisario Front, a staunch ally of the FLN and ANC. Although Mauritania relinquished its claims in 1979, Morocco has persisted in its occupation, with regular reports of oppression, imprisonment, and abuse of the Saharawi people. MKP's current position places it in direct violation of domestic, continental, and international legal frameworks. The leaders of the MKP are well aware of this legal and historical context, but have chosen to repackage it to justify the newfound leaning towards the ally of the US and Israel. Morocco's strategy of using economic incentives to shift foreign policy in its favour is not new. Since becoming king, Mohammed VI has led a diplomatic offensive that also encompasses Sub-Saharan Africa. The SADR had initially received recognition from 84 UN member states. Some have since either frozen or revoked their recognition. The MKP is among those that have succumbed to Morocco's seduction. By turning its back on the people of the SADR and disregarding SA's official foreign policy, the MKP is also abandoning the very people it claims to represent. This betrayal must be seen for what it is: a dangerous pivot toward political expediency and opportunism, masquerading as a strategic partnership. In doing so, MKP has positioned itself not as a defender of African liberation, but as a willing participant in its erosion. * Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Just what is Zuma's motive for Morocco visit?
Last week, former president Jacob Zuma quietly travelled to Morocco, where he declared support — albeit in his capacity as MK Party president — for the country's colonial domination over the people of Western Sahara. During a televised meeting with a delegation of the Moroccan government, with the South African flag as a crucial backdrop, Zuma said Morocco must retain sovereignty over Western Sahara. The MK Party, through Zuma's comrade and nephew Magasela Mzobe, announced a policy position aimed at bringing about a practical solution to the long-standing conflict over Western Sahara's independence. 'While taking into account the growing international and continental support that the Moroccan autonomy proposal has gained over the past couple of years, our party believes that this proposal allows for significant local governance by the people of the Sahara region, while (also) ensuring that Morocco retains its crucial sovereignty over the Sahara region. 'This approach offers a balanced path forward that promotes both stability, peace and development in the region. We call on the international community to support Morocco's autonomy plan as a possible effective way to ensure peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Western Sahara. Our party recognises this historical and legal context that underpins Morocco's claim to Western Sahara and views that Morocco's effort to reclaim its full territorial integrity aligns with our commitment to preserving the sovereignty and the unity of the African state,' Mzobe said on behalf of Zuma. This statement has obviously triggered a lot of emotion for many in South Africa, none more so than the ANC — a party with which Zuma has been fighting tooth and nail to regain his membership. Not long after the televised address, the ANC released a statement condemning the use of the national flag as part of the theatrics. 'This reckless and provocative act constitutes a flagrant violation of international diplomatic norms and an unacceptable intrusion into South Africa's internal political affairs. It is a dangerous attempt to delegitimise our constitutional order and discredit the authority of a democratically elected government. The inclusion of our national symbols in partisan activities hosted by foreign powers is not only misleading but also part of a broader agenda of foreign interference,' the ANC wrote. The ANC called out Zuma as being shameful, betraying its historical mission and showing his true colours. The recently ousted secretary-general of the MK Party, Floyd Shivambu, felt vindicated after having accused the Moroccan government of trying to buy Zuma's support by offering money in exchange for support for its actions in Western Sahara. The ANC during the Zuma years resolved to intensify the call for the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, with a view to enable these countries and people to effectively exercise sovereignty. In the AU, South Africa has frequently raised concerns about Morocco's admission to the body. Some may call the former statesman a sellout, but to others, this came as no surprise. In 2004, during the Thabo Mbeki era, the Moroccan government recalled its ambassador from South Africa when the then-president recognised the Western Sahara. Zuma, shortly before his exit from office in 2017, publicly went against the ANC position, resetting relations with the North African country. In an interview with the City Press at the time, Zuma said: 'Morocco is an African nation and we need to have relations with them ... We never had problems with them anyway; they were the first to withdraw diplomatic relations ... They [Morocco] felt that even if we differ on the Western Sahara issues, the two countries should have a relationship.' Despite this deviation from established ANC policy, the party cowered under pressure, standing behind its president as it had done by protecting Zuma one scandal after another. Reacting to Zuma at the time, the ANC said there was no ANC policy to isolate Morocco. Whether Zuma's recent actions are, if Shivambu is believed, a consequence of transactional politics or are merely aligned with his historical views which run counter to ANC policy, will be hard to ascertain. What is clear though is that Zuma has been consistent in his flip-flopping. We should have seen it coming. If Zuma could defy the ANC by setting up meetings with the Moroccans as its president, what would prevent him from further solidifying that relationship with his own MK Party stokvel? What must worry us is the patent abuse of the South African flag, our national symbol. Whether this is because of 30 pieces of silver is neither here nor there. Zuma is free to pursue whatever agenda at a cost — what he must never pretend to do is represent the will of the South African people. The flag that should have went up in been displayed at that meeting with his handlers in Morocco is the MK Party flag.
