African National Congress (ANC) first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane says the party will not lobby the government to pardon former president Jacob Zuma.

This followed a recent Constitutional Court decision that could see the former president return to jail. 

The apex court dismissed an appeal of a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that Zuma's release on parole was unlawful.

It is now up to correctional services commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale to decide if Zuma must return to jail.

The former president is currently in Russia seeking medical treatment. 

Asked whether the ANC would call for the pardoning of the former president, Mokonyane said: "That would be called interference.

"The most important thing is that we think there has to be objectivity in handling this matter, and the relevant authorities have that task of reflecting on it and ensuring that it is handled in a manner that will not create unnecessary perceptions going forward."

Zuma was jailed in 2021 and was expected to serve a 15-month sentence for defying a subpoena to give evidence at the Zondo Commission. 

Former correctional services commissioner Arthur Fraser released the former president on medical parole in a decision that has been ruled unlawful. 

While the ANC will not lobby for a pardon for Zuma, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has indicated it would ask President Cyril Ramaphosa to pardon him should he be sent back to jail. 

"If they say he must go to [jail], I will go to him and argue my case with him that the guy is sick.

"The guy is old; his struggle credentials, his service to the public office and the fact that he served time in prison and the fact that parole on its own does not mean you are free; you continue to serve even from outside.

"It is enough for you to give him a presidential pardon to avoid the possibility of instability which was experienced in KZN," EFF leader Julius Malema said on Friday.

On coalition governments following next year's general elections, Mokonyane neither rejected the Democratic Alliance nor EFF as potential partners should no party receive outright majorities in provincial legislatures or the National Assembly.

She said the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) had decided to establish regulations that would govern how to work in coalitions in the future and those regulations must clearly state the minimum programmes.

"We will work with everyone and anyone who agrees with us on those minimum programmes. So, the NEC [has] yet to deliberate and do an assessment of the current coalitions. Gauteng [has] yet to give us a report as well," she added.

Meanwhile, former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils warned Ramaphosa he should not allow South Africa to be a "pawn" to imperialist nations.

Kasrils said Western nations were warmongers, referring to Russia's war with Ukraine, calling Ukraine NATO's "proxy".

"If we don't stand foursquare together, those imperialists - comrade president [Ramaphosa], you will know it more than us - will want to browbeat us into being their pawns," he added.