Zuma's deep-seated bitterness fuels stand-off

Former President Jacob Zuma is said to have told visitors to his Nkandla home-town of his deep-seated anger over the way the ANC removed him as head of state. This is said to be influencing his defiance of the Constitutional Court's order for him to appear before the State Capture Commission, according to a Sunday Times report. Zuma is scheduled to meet the ANC Top Six this week after holding a three-hour meeting with Police Minister Bheki Cele last Thursday. Those who have visited Zuma said ANC bigwigs have a mountain to climb in their attempt to convince a stubborn Zuma to obey the Constitutional Court ruling. Cele told the media that during his meeting with Zuma he listened to his concerns and attempted to make him understand the serious implications of his stance. Zuma's brother, Khanya Zuma, advised ANC leaders not to go to the meeting with the intention of telling Zuma what to do. ‘He has serious grievances. Anyone who fails to understand them may not be able to engage him meaningfully to resolve this matter. I hope those who are coming understand that they are not coming to tell him what to do, but to hear him out and then share their perspective including a way forward.’ An unnamed leader who met Zuma recently said the former President questioned his delegation about why he was removed as head of state when he had, he believed, done no wrong. The leader said Zuma was still angry and bitter about the decision.

At another meeting, Zuma raised concerns about the legal processes followed in the Zondo Commission matter. The ANC's KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary, Mdumiseni Ntuli reportedly told the Sunday Times after the meeting: ‘The fact that he took the matter on review, and while it is still on review (Deputy Chief Justice and State Capture Commission chair Raymond) Zondo and the commission took it to the Constitutional Court, is a big problem. Secondly, the Constitutional Court – not recognising that there is a review process in one of their courts – forges ahead with decision making on the matter.’ Ntuli said Zuma was also irked by Zondo's suggestion that the Constitutional Court should consider sending Zuma to jail for his no-show at the commission. He said the ANC is hopeful that this week's engagement with Zuma will yield a way forward.