JUST DESERTS FOR TWO BULLIES

It seems Msimanga thought he could use his office to get the police on his side, while Magashule tried to suspend the president

Bullies are the bane of society. They do harm to their neighbours, colleagues and loved ones; and, most importantly, they are a danger to themselves.

Last week the attention of many South Africans was riveted by two bullies who happen to be leaders in the country’s dominant political parties — the ruling ANC and the opposition DA.

Solly Msimanga, the DA’s Gauteng leader, trended on social media after video footage showed him in an altercation outside what seemed to be a car repair workshop.

The video clip shows a man he is verbally sparring with saying: “I want my money, Solly … You are not leaving until I get my money.”

Msimanga then lashes out, pushing the man, who staggers, regains his composure and throws a blistering right hook. The next clip shows Msimanga with lips swollen and face covered in blood, speaking on a phone, apparently summoning the police to the scene.

His adversary reminds him that he threw the first punch, which was captured on camera.

That seems to rattle Msimanga’s resolve. With the camera still focused on Msimanga’s face, his adversary puts it on record that the DA leader owes him R1.4m. Msimanga is then led away by a friend.

On the afternoon after the video was released, the two men posted a new video of themselves.

Msimanga is shown all cleaned up. His adversary says there was a misunderstanding and that the matter has been resolved.

The ANC in the province has called for an investigation, suggesting there might have been a corruption cover-up.

What seems clear is that Msimanga underestimated the man and thought he could use his office to get the police on his side. His streetwise adversary captured everything on camera.

Bully number two is ANC secretarygeneral Ace Magashule. He is more dangerous, in that he has many powerful people behind him, reportedly including Jacob Zuma.

Magashule, facing a slew of corruption charges, was asked to step aside while investigations were conducted. But no, trying to use a clause in the party’s rule book to defy his suspension, this bully said he was suspending ANC president

Cyril Ramaphosa.

However, when the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) met virtually last week, chair Gwede Mantashe objected after Magashule logged in, and Magashule was unceremoniously kicked out.

His suspension is now official. He can’t go to his office at the ANC’s Luthuli House headquarters.

Bullies were the topic when I sat down with my niece Luyanda and my daughter Gugulethu for dinner at Louise & Anna, which is inspired by cuisine from the American south — by the Louisiana Creole culture, to be specific.

The vibe and decor are refreshing enough. The food itself makes the outing memorable.

Luyanda loved her seafood gumbo; Gugulethu raved about her shrimp, macaroni and cheese. I loved my beef gumbo. The sauce was to die for.

But the meat was too tough; it was not cooked enough. That’s my only complaint. Oh wait, there’s a second complaint: the wine selection sucks.

Those can be fixed. Otherwise, wow, what a place; what food! x

Louise & Anna ★★★★ 357 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall Park, Joburg

Tel: 082-883-0195

★★★★★ King Misuzulu

★★★★ Mogoeng Mogoeng

★★★ Andile Hlatshwayo

★★ Solly Msimanga

★ Ace Magashule

The bully from the DA underestimated his adversary and the one from the ANC was unceremoniously kicked out of an NEC meeting