A group calling itself Radical Economic Transformation (RET) Champions has vowed to support former President Jacob Zuma in his upcoming court battle with former minister Derek Hanekom.
Speaking to IOL, the group’s chairman Nkosentsha Shezi criticised Hanekom’s decision to sue Zuma for defamation.
What we can say as RET Champions is that we are 100 percent behind Zuma. Derek Hanekom shall meet us in court and we will expose him. You cannot sue a person for calling you a known agent.
RET Champions chairman Nkosentsha Shezi
The group has previously mobilised large crowds outside Zuma’s court hearings to show their support for the former president.
Shezi said they are yet to meet to discuss possible plans to mobilise similar crowds when the Hanekom matter is heard on 21 August at the Durban High Court.
Both Zuma and Hanekom are members of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC).
Hanekom has sued the former for defamation after Zuma tweeted in late July that he is a well-known “enemy agent.”
The ex-minister is seeking R500,000 in damages as well as an order for Zuma to publicly apologise and delete the tweet.
Zuma is opposing the application. It is unclear at this stage whether or not both individuals will appear in court.