Dirtier politics as exit time nears?

IF THERE is one person who managed to orchestrate a “silent coup” in the history of the ANC it is President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma scored big whilst the ANC was not benefiting anything in return from him except demise. History has taught mankind to respect a man who has nothing to lose.

In 2007 when Zuma defeated Thabo Mbeki in the ANC’s 52nd elective conference in Polokwane, he contested for one main reason.

He weighed his options and contesting Mbeki was the first step to avoid being a jailbird and that he achieved.

When Cope was formed as a consequence of that, political optimists sensed that it was safer to be labelled “sell-outs” by their former comrades than by the society in the future.

We have now entered a difficult stage where careerists who still support Zuma will be harshly judged when the obituary of the ANC is written.

The ANC electoral support has declined drastically since Zuma ascended to power.

South Africans have witnessed the two breakaways, namely Cope and the EFF, due to differences that centred on Zuma.

Cosatu factional squabbles that led to the expulsion of its largest affiliate Numsa and former secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi, who is now leading the breakaway South African Federation of Trade Unions Saftu, were Zuma’s fighting plan.

The recent aborted plan by the ANC NEC members to have Zuma recalled has led me to ask one question: Will Zuma fall any time soon? He appears to be ready to finish his term in government.We all know the biggest reason why the president can’t voluntarily resign. He is a coward who never befriended the rule of law in his lifetime.

If media reports are anything to go by, that Zuma threatened the NEC not to push him hard, he might be ready to play even dirtier politics than he has done since he occupied powerful positions in his party and the government.

All leaders who rule by fear have one thing in common.

When their time to exit office nears they threaten stability to get prosecution immunity.

T h e orchestrated plan to intimidate second deputy general secretary of the SACP Solly Mapaila should worry every citizen because it might be the beginning of an authoritarian takeover of our democracy.

It is clear that the people whose lives are in danger are not only Dr Makhosi Khoza, Lindiwe Sisulu, Jackson Mthembu, Gwede Mantashe and ANC stalwarts, but everyone else who is opposed to Zuma’s leadership.

While Nelson Mandela left a legacy to the ANC, it must be noted that the incumbent president and his confederates will leave areally negative obituary.

All leaders who rule by fear have one thing in common

Thohoyandou