Religious leaders ‘disappointed’
A RELIGIOUS leader in eThekwini says he is unhappy with the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma.
Bishop Sandile Innocent Ndlela from the United Methodist Church, under the eThekwini interfaith in Durban, was one of the religious leaders who voiced their concerns to ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe during a meeting at Durban’s City Hall yesterday. “We are unhappy about a number of issues, including the incarceration of Zuma. We appeal that the law be fair and he be released from jail,” he said.
One pastor said that they were disappointed in President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Bheki Cele, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Mantashe. But Mantashe said: “The police and the soldiers are deployed in many areas, we put a lot of faith in their ability and their capacity and hope that any attempt to sabotage will be averted.”
Another church leader said since the lockdown started, churches were vandalised. “Ramaphosa must vacate his position; he has failed us. The incarceration of Zuma and the looting and burning of shops and trucks is bad,” said the pastor.
Others thanked Mantashe for attending to the religious community.
Mantashe responded to some of the questions and accusations raised.
“When did we fight with Zuma, I don’t remember that. I refuse to be an extension of anyone else. Another man says I took R15 million and gave it to Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. If I had that money, I was not going to give it to another man, I was going to buy more land. Where is the evidence? Stop accusing me, I am no extension to Zuma or Ramaphosa,” said Mantashe.
He told the religious leaders that the ANC Top Six were elected at a conference and it could not be dissolved.
Some church leaders asked why ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule was suspended. Mantashe said Magashule was still part of the ANC. Mantashe left the meeting, saying that he had to go to Pietermaritzburg.