Jacob Zuma.
Photographer: Phill Magakoe/AFP via Getty Images
South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma and other top figures in the ruling African National Congress met secretly this week to discuss a strategy to remove his successor Cyril Ramaphosa, the Sunday Times newspaper reported, without citing anyone.
Vukile Mathabela, a spokesman for Zuma, and Mahumapelo, couldn’t immediately be reached by phone or text message.
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The group is believed to have discussed a potential legal challenge to Ramaphosa’s election as party president at the ANC’s national congress last year, the paper reported. The challenge would be based on the allegedly high number of illegitimate delegates, it said.
Zuma first held talks with Magashule, who runs the day-to-day operations of the ANC, and Mahumapelo, before discussions with a larger group, the Times said, citing unidentified witnesses. Magashule denied there had been a meeting with Zuma, according to the paper.
Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has estimated that more than 100 billion rand ($6.6 billion) may have been plundered during Zuma’s almost nine-year tenure in a process known as “state capture.” Zuma, who was forced to step down in February by the ruling party, has denied any wrongdoing.