NDZ’s camp considering plan for Zuma’s early exit – report

Could supporters of ANC presidential hopeful Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma be mulling over a proposal to remove President Jacob Zuma from the Union Buildings, should she be elected ANC president in December?

According to the Sunday Times, that might be the case.  The paper reports that according to insiders in Dlamini-Zuma’s camp, informal discussions about Zuma’s early exit had been held as there was a realisation that it would be tough for the ANC to retain power when the country votes in general elections in 2019.

The move is said to be part of a broader strategy in Dlamini-Zuma’s camp to apparently dissociate her from her ex-husband, with the aim of winning over those who are disillusioned with Zuma’s scandal prone-leadership.

The report stated that the strategy was also an attempt to weaken Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s campaign for the ANC presidency. Ramaphosa’s camp had previously made it clear that Zuma would be recalled from office soon after the governing party’s December elective conference.

The possibility of removing Zuma from the Union Buildings in an “amicable way” is reportedly also on the cards of the so-called premier league – an informal lobby group campaigning for Dlamini-Zuma – should the former African Union chairperson emerge victorious from the ANC conference.

“There is that talk but we have to be careful. We have to manage this carefully. Look, we can’t lose the election. We will do everything to win elections but that man still has a lot of power … so we have to be cautious,” a Dlamini-Zuma lobbyist was quoted as saying.

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