JZ Foundation cautions ANC to lay off Yengeni amid party threats to discipline him

CAPE TOWN - As the African National Congress (ANC) threatens to discipline veteran member Tony Yengeni for his negative public commentary about the party, the Jacob Zuma Foundation has cautioned the ANC to lay off him.  

On Monday, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula labelled Yengeni a "political casanova" for a social media post questioning the ANC’s choice of venue for the party’s January 8 statement on Saturday.  

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On Wednesday, Zuma delivered a surprise birthday present to the ANC in the form of a legal demand letter to be reinstated as a member of the ANC.  

The former ANC president said the ANC carried out an illegal disciplinary process against him.

Zuma also claimed the party is targeting former National Executive Committee (NEC) member Yengeni for being his representative during his disputes with the party.  

Zuma has since formed his political party, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

However, his foundation said he wants to hold dual party membership to carry out the vision of the party’s forebears.  

“There is nothing that the MK Party has said, that the SACP [South African Communist Party] has not said, but there’s been no consequences for the leadership of the SACP,” said spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi.  

“The SACP has made the exact same pronouncements to say this is not the ANC that they know.”  

However, Mbalula remained undeterred by Zuma’s latest legal threat.  

"He must take us to court. He must do whatever he thinks is of importance to himself. We know his shenanigans. We knew his game plan. We have followed the constitution to the letter. We'll defend the integrity of our movement."  

Zuma is demanding the full written record of his disciplinary proceedings by the end of January, or the ANC can again expect to face off against him in court.