ANC NWC accepts Zuma's apology

Cape Town - The ANC National Working Committee (NWC) has accepted President Jacob Zuma's apology over the Nkandla upgrades, and says it’s now up to the branches to decide whether they will do the same.

"We will go to the branches and explain to them and say that we have discussed the matter and this is the conclusion we came to,” ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told eNCA.

“Our branches will have the right to object.”

He was addressing a media briefing following a lengthy meeting by the party's top leaders in Cape Town.

"What comes out of the branches will be taken seriously," Mantashe added.

He said the party leaders would also make an effort to address the party's disgruntled stalwarts, including Ahmed Kathrada.

Kathrada has called for Zuma to step down following last week's Constitutional Court ruling against him.

Impeachment calls

On the impeachment, Mantashe said he was confident the party's majority would block the move, Eyewitness News reported.

Mantashe reiterated there is no basis for the motion, describing the DA’s move for impeachment as “electioneering”.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane called on ANC MPs to support the motion following Jacob Zuma’s apology last week, News24 reported.

“The DA calls on those ANC Members of Parliament who still value their oaths to uphold the Constitution to support the Motion of Impeachment. Zuma and the Constitution cannot coexist,”” he said.

#ANCNWC ANC SG Gwede Mantashe says they'll report their decision to accept the President's apology to the branches.

— POWER987 News (@POWER987News) April 5, 2016

ANC officials collect their phones after a +7 hour meeting #ANCNWC pic.twitter.com/HEJ7TRlQfu

— Lester Kiewit (@lesterkk) April 4, 2016

#ANCNWC President Jacob Zuma slips out of NWC meeting for brief moment. Discussions still underway. NM pic.twitter.com/8c17iKj1AX

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 4, 2016