Gwede Mantashe defends Zuma
ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe maintains the recent offensive launched against President Jacob Zuma is an attack on the party, rather than the president alone.
Speaking at the opening of the Northern Cape's Alliance Summit in Kimberley, Mantashe said those asking for Zuma's head are using him as a scapegoat, in order to weaken the ANC.
He said the ANC would still meet with all its stakeholders in coming days, including the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, to explain the party's stance on the recent damning Constitutional Court ruling against President Zuma.
However, Mantashe dismissed the group of civil society organisations which yesterday announced their opposition to Zuma's presidency.
He said the majority of those who added their voices to the group were disgruntled former party members, acting out of desperation.
"They are all people walking out of the ANC. [Zwelinzima] Vavi wanted to be the Deputy President of the ANC promoted by [Irvin] Jim. When that didn't happen, they walked away. If they are going to plot whatever, it is expected of them when they walk away out of an organisation because your ambitions are not fulfilled, you can do anything. It becomes a desperate situation," Mantashe said.
Former Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils, former deputy president of the ANC Youth League Ronald Lamola, ANC veteran Cheryl Carolus as well as former Constitutional Court judge Zak Yacoob were joined by Vavi who spoke out against Zuma on the steps of the Constitutional Court on Wednesday.