The ANC NEC is convening a two-day meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Gauteng. Picture: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL
The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) is awaiting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said.
The ICJ will hand down a pivotal ruling on Friday, on whether it will grant emergency measures to stop Israel’s war on Gaza, which has so far claimed over 25,000 lives.
This after South Africa lodged a genocide case against the Israeli government for allegedly killing people in Palestine.
Watch: Inside the ANC NEC meeting room in Boksburg, Gauteng. Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa and the NEC members will be following the proceedings of the #ICJ in the country’s genocide case against Israel. DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor is leading the SA delegation at The Hague. @IOL pic.twitter.com/yQlzDRhL2w
— Kamogelo Vega (@Kamogelo_Vegaa) January 26, 2024
“Whether the outcome of SA's genocide case against Israel is negative or positive, we have made our point. As a country, we stand for justice, and humanity stands with us. We stand for determination; we are against genocide,” he said.
The ANC NEC is convening a two-day meeting at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Gauteng, this weekend ahead of the party’s manifesto launch next month.
The meeting will be followed by the NEC lekgotla from Sunday to Monday.
The meeting is expected to focus on geopolitical and crucial domestic issues, including key decisions on organisational renewal and political developments.
Speaking to the media, Mbalula said the meeting will also speak to the steps to be taken against the former president, Jacob Zuma, who is now campaigning for the MK party.
Responding to why the party has not taken action against Zuma, Mbalula said the ANC was guided by principles and values and therefore could not act on media reports without proper consultation.
WATCH: ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says the NEC meeting will speak to the steps to be taken against former president Jacob Zuma’s attitude towards the party. Zuma is now campaigning for the MK Party.
— IOL News (@IOL) January 26, 2024
Video: Kamogelo Moichela/IOL pic.twitter.com/OX57a1JU20
However, he stated that “there is no premium member of the ANC and a precious one that is above the rules of the ANC,” maintaining that action would be taken against Zuma.
On December 16, Zuma announced he would not vote for the ANC but was adamant that he would forever remain a member of the ruling party.
According to Zuma, his vote against the ANC would elevate the party’s position as the country gears towards the elections.
kamogelo.moichela@inl.co.za
IOL Politics