SACP and Cosatu repeat Zuma exit call

LEADERS of Cosatu and SACP yesterday used the May Day commemoration in Cape Town to renew their calls to the ANC to recall President Jacob Zuma.

Addressing workers who were part of a march to Parliament, SACP central executive committee member Adrian Williams said the communists were unapologetic for calling on Zuma to step down.

“We must protect, defend and advance the achievements of this democratic ANC-led government. This is why the SACP is unapologetically, without fear or favour, calling on the ANC to recall President Zuma,” Williams said.

He said a “captured state” did not serve the interests of the working class.

“A captured state serves the interest of those who bought the state. It is the people who will lose out to a family called Gupta… that is why the SACP are calling for their South African passport and resident rights to be revoked,” Williams said.

The Guptas, close friends of Zuma, have been accused of influencing cabinet appointments.

“We, as the collective, must protect the NDR (national democratic revolution) and we must defend our unity from those who want to divide us for political gain.

“It is time for each of us as members of the ANC to ask the question: “Is President Zuma leading the NDR in the right direction?” he asked.

Also addressing the march, Cosatu’s treasurer-general Freda Oosthuysen said their decision was to politely say to Zuma: “Step aside.”

In an apparent attack on another ANC presidential hopeful, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, she said: “We are not looking for a proxy.

“Don’t be confused comrades.”

Dlamini Zuma is in the race for the ANC presidency and her candidacy is seen by some as being backed by Zuma.