Zuma arrest: ‘It can’t rain forever,’ says Magashule

Suspended African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule on Thursday said supporters of former President Jacob Zuma must ‘soldier on’.

Taking to social media, Magashule said, “Be strong now because things will get better. It might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever. We soldier on.”

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This follows after the JG Zuma Foundation confirmed the former president decided to comply with the incarceration order and himself over to authorities shortly before midnight on Wednesday evening. The Policy Ministry later confirmed Zuma’s arrest.

Prior to Zuma’s arrest, Bheki Cele said police would “hold further actions” before arresting Jacob Zuma – the deadline was Wednesday evening at midnight –  “out of respect of the unfolding litigation,” unless otherwise directed. The letter was attached to Zuma’s court papers submitted to the court.

Speaking at the vaccination drive earlier this week, Cele said he was “awaiting clarity” regarding the order from the Constitutional Court, adding there was no need to rush as the ministry still had “time on that one.”

The Constitutional Court will hear Zuma’s application for it to rescind the judgment on Monday, 12 July.

ALSO READ: ‘ConCourt did not make Zuma’s prison bed,’ lawyer says

Earlier, Magashule called on Zuma supporters to remain focused, saying the movement is “highly motivated”. In the struggle, you will never become like ‘ugh shame’; in the struggle, you remain focused,” Magashule added.

Addressing the cheering crowd outside Nkandla on Sunday, Magashule said “people want to finish the African National Congress, they want to disband every branch, they want to disband and remove comrades”.

Referring to the party’s party’s step-aside guidelines, Magashule said: When they disband you as a branch, you must still be a branch. When they expel you, you must still be a member of the ANC. You must not go anywhere.”

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