ANC deploys NEC members to KZN to quell possible Zuma unrest
The African National Congress (ANC) has postponed its national executive committee meeting which was set to be held this weekend.
The party's leadership says this is due to developments in KwaZulu-Natal, where supporters of former president Jacob Zuma are flocking to his Nkandla home.
They have vowed to protect the former president from arrest.
Zuma has been sentenced to 15 months in jail by the Constitutional Court for contempt.
The ANC will deploy some of its NEC members to the province to quell any possible unrest.
"There is a need for ANC to give clear and principled leadership to ensure the maintenance of the rule of law and to avoid any violence, injury, or loss of life. NEC members will be deployed to KZN and will work with the provincial leadership in this regard," says spokesperson Pule Mabe.
READ: Public order police deployed to Nkandla as crowds gather in support of Zuma
Zuma is expected to hand himself over to the police on Sunday to start his 15-month jail term.
Political analyst Levy Ndou says the ANC’s decision to descend on KZN might be due to the amount of misinformation around the situation the former president finds himself in.
"I think the NEC is going there to provide clear information and direction so that people do not behave based on ignorance and end up creating a worse situation for Zuma.
"If Zuma understand the constitution and the law, he will make sure there is no confrontation that has the potential to kill people.
READ: MK Vets vow to form ‘human shield' around Nkandla to protect Zuma
"At the same time, responsible and loving the people who are sympathetic to him, he should find a way and a means he cooperates with the law enforcement agencies to avoid confrontation that can lead to the loss of life.”
