While supporting calls for the removal of President Jacob Zuma‚ the African Christian Democratic Party has criticised a call by the South African National Defence Union (SANDU) for its members to participate in mass action campaigning for Zuma’s removal.

SANDU made the call in light of the finding by the Constitutional Court that Zuma had violated the Constitution.

ACDP Parliamentary Leader‚ Rev Kenneth Meshoe‚ said on Monday: “We caution armed forces to avoid taking any political action‚ even in their personal capacity‚ because doing so would send the wrong message to South Africans and the international community.

 “It can be understood that our armed forces are planning to lead a ‘coup d’état’ in the country — as that has happened many times on the African continent.

“While the ACDP supports the ‘removal’ of President Zuma from office for his failure to uphold‚ defend and respect the Constitution‚ such ‘removal’ must follow a legal route only: he should either resign‚ or the ANC should replace him like they replaced President Mbeki or the National Assembly should vote to remove him.”

A statement from the SANDU Head Office on Friday read: “SANDU encourages all members of society‚ including soldiers to participate in their private capacity and time in any lawful mass action campaigns which might be called to the end of lawfully recalling and or removing President Zuma from office.”