Zuma holds allies close as ANC support wavers: report

·6 Mar 2016

President Jacob Zuma is turning to his few strong allies, as he continues to lose support within the ANC, according to the City Press.

The paper cited party insiders and NEC members speaking of how Zuma has turned to State Security Minister David Mahlobo and Police Minister Nathi Nhleko for support as disenchantment grows within the party ranks.

The NEC member, who was not named, said that senior ANC members were driving a quiet and careful lobby to obtain support for a motion to have Zuma recalled.

The NEC member would not mention any names, saying only that the senior officials were “honourable men” and that “people in the ANC are angry”.

According to the City Press, only a top layer of senior ANC officials have unwavering support for the president – dubbed “the Premier League”.

This includes the premiers of Mpumalanga (David Mabuza), Free State (Ace Magashule) and North West Province (Subra Mahumapelo).

According to insiders, Mahlobo, as head of intelligence, has been working very closely with the president over the past few years, and has been dubbed “prime minister” due to his closeness with Zuma.

Despite reports of Zuma losing support within the party, publicly the ANC has supported the president at every turn, including the most recent motion of no confidence put forward by the opposing DA party.

However, many members have spoken out against him – most notably around his business relationships, as well as his decisions relating to former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene in December 2015.

According to the report, the day Zuma fired Nene – known as 9/12 – it created a ripple within the party, which has grown into a wave over the past few weeks against the backdrop of a very public spat between current finance minister Pravin Gordhan and SARS head, Tom Monyane.

Zuma’s failure to take decisive action on the matter has lead to further discord among ANC members.

You can read the full report in the City Press for 6 March 2016.