South African Communist Party (SACP) Second Deputy Secretary General, Solly Mapaila, says the ANC could lose votes in next year’s general election.

Mapaila has warned that should the governing African National Congress (ANC) continue to include former president Jacob Zuma in its election campaign, the party’s voter support could decline.

Speaking to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Sunday, 25 March, Mapaila says that it would be detrimental to the party should it include Zuma in its campaign as the ANC needs “incorruptible leaders.”

He added that “We can’t have that kind of face representing our value system that is completely against what we stand for.”

Mapaila’s comments come after the Hawks announced that they were looking into allegations of bribery against Zuma.

The former president alledgely accepted bribes amounting to R1 million from abalone dealer, Deon Larry from the Western Cape. This was in exchange to keep Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Senzeni Zokwana, in his position.

According to reports, prominent businessman Charlie Seretse swore in an affidavit in December 2017 that Zokwana along with Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini and Agriculture Deputy Director General Siphokazi Ndudane each received R300 000 bribe from Larry.

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi has confirmed that they are looking into the allegations and that the matter is being investigated by the serious corruption and serious economic offences units.

Mulaudzi added that once the investigations are complted the case will be handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution.