ANCYL blasts all Zuma ‘detractors’

THE ANC Youth League has reiterated claims that public protector Thuli Madonsela was a spy, as the league tears down on those seen to be President Jacob Zuma’s detractors.

The league, which held its national executive committee meeting in Tshwane at the weekend, has also poured cold water on Madonsela’s probe into state capture, which she is expected to be finalised before she leaves office next month.

The state capture investigation is focused on the influential and controversial Gupta family, which is accused of using its proximity to Zuma to influence ministerial appointments and government procurement.

ANCYL president Collen Maine said yesterday Madonsela had failed to refute claims first made by Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association chairman Kebby Maphatsoe that she was a CIA spy.

The ANCYL has also thrown its weight behind SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng following his failed appeal attempt at the Supreme Court of Appeals to stay in the post. Maine said Motsoeneng did not pass matric but that was immaterial as he was experienced at his job.

Maine defended the R11.4-million bonus Motsoeneng allegedly got from the SABC. “When a black person gets a bonus in South Africa there is a problem. If the SABC thinks he deserved it, it must given to him.”

He blasted ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe for saying that if he were the minister for higher education and training he would close universities to teach protesting students a lesson. “What he said is not the position of the ANC and it was reckless for him to say that.”

ANCYL deputy secretary general Thandi Moraka also blasted Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan as behaving like a celebrity by refusing to be summoned by the Hawks. The probe relates to an alleged rogue spy unit allegedly set up at Sars when he was commissioner.