Umm Muhammad Umar, 2016-03-19

ANN7 and the New Age newspaper claim they are aware of reports of top ANC members plotting to remove Jacob Zuma as party leader and president.

The news organization reports there are factions within the ruling party called the ‘generals’ and the ‘rebels’, which are for and against Zuma.

It claims Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa with support from ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe is seen as the frontrunner for the job of ‘Number One’, while Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe is a secondary candidate.

The New Age also reports that national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor and Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini are also amongst those in the faction backing Zuma.

Constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos, however, says reports by the news group of a plot to remove Zuma is propagandised

“Incidentally, the #ZumaMustFallPlot is being used by ANN7, leading critics to note that, the Guptas have even captured Zuma ‘s hashtag.”

(Edited by Faizel Patel)