Jacob Zuma a no-show at ANC disciplinary hearing

JOHANNESBURG - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party said that Jacob Zuma did not attend his virtual disciplinary hearing with the African National Congress (ANC).

The party said that ANC stalwart, Tony Yengeni, who was representing Zuma in the hearing, attended the meeting alone. 

It said that Yengeni told the ANC's disciplinary committee that Zuma wanted a physical hearing and for the meeting to be postponed. 

The MK Party said that the ANC rejected the request for a physical hearing but agreed to postpone it to next week Tuesday.

The former ANC president was suspended by the party after forming and campaigning for the MK Party while still being a member.

Despite leading an opposition party, Zuma still wants to keep his ANC membership. The MK Party president has previously said he would die an ANC member.

A statement by the MK Party said Zuma, along with wanting his disciplinary hearing to be held physically, also wants it to be open to the public.

However, ANC spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi said this was not possible.

"Neither the pre-hearing conference nor the actual disciplinary hearing will be open to the public or the media. A verdict will be announced once the committee has received and reviewed all arguments. We cannot specify the timeline for this process, as it depends on the scope of the deliberations and the issues under consideration."

In May, the ANC had to cancel Zuma's disciplinary committee hearing, which was due to take place at Luthuli House.

At the time, the party said it received a security report stating there was a high possibility of dangerous clashes between ANC and MK Party supporters.