Mbeki welcomes ANC's decision to summon Zuma to a disciplinary hearing

JOHANNESBURG - Former African National Congress (ANC) president Thabo Mbeki has welcomed the organisation’s decision to summon his successor Jacob Zuma to a disciplinary hearing over his endorsement of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

On Friday, Mbeki was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of his election campaign in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.

On Thursday, Zuma’s MK Party confirmed to Eyewitness News that the former statesman would avail himself to the ANC’s disciplinary committee at its Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg.

READ: Mbeki reinforces ANC membership & support with Soweto campaign

The rise of Zuma’s MK Party has been a thorn in the side of the ANC - an organisation he’s been a part of for well over six decades.

Earlier this year, the governing party’s national executive committee suspended Zuma’s membership for bringing the organisation into disrepute by establishing the MK Party.

Former ANC president Thabo Mbeki says summoning Zuma to a disciplinary hearing is in line with adhering to the party's constitution.

"Clearly he has committed What would be an act of ill-discipline. That is why he must appear in front of the committee, I think that's correct."

There is speculation that Zuma will host an MK Party rally outside Luthuli House on the day of his disciplinary hearing.