‘Underhanded machinations’: Mkhize’s supporters respond to imminent arrest claims
FORMER minister Zweli Mkhize’s lobbyists believe reports of his imminent arrest are part of an elaborate scheme to influence public opinion and to hide a political plot to abuse law enforcement agencies to get him arrested and charged to eliminate him from the ANC presidential race.
Recent media reports suggested that an arrest relating to the Digital Vibes scandal was imminent, saying that law enforcement authorities were in the final stages of an investigation and there was a possibility this could lead to criminal charges.
Mkhize, who is now an ordinary MP, in his bid to become president of the ANC at the national elective conference in December, has significant support in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, say his supporters, with branches in support of him coming from eThekwini and the Moses Mabhida regions.
Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu has also indicated that she is in the running to become the party leader.
Mkhize’s communication adviser Vuyo Mkhize said “underhanded machinations” were being used as part of a broader plot to eliminate Mkhize in the run-up to the elective conference.
“Anyone can tell that the recent amendment of the ANC step-aside resolution to bar those facing charges from standing at the upcoming ANC national conference was cooked up with Dr Mkhize in mind,” said Vuyo Mkhize.
Asked about an arrest list circulating on social media that contains the former minister’s name, Mkhize said: “We are also aware of the arrest list you are talking about … a list of ANC leaders who have been targeted for arrest with the same objective in mind.
“One thing we are certain of, however, is that there is no way this planned arrest will be happening any time soon, as the state has absolutely nothing to work with other than the nonsensical findings of the SIU report which Mkhize is challenging before the North Gauteng High Court,” Mkhize said.
The National Executive Committee, the party’s highest decision making body, last month issued a statement saying that any member who has been suspended following an indictment to appear in a court of law on any charge should not be allowed to stand for a leadership position, including at the national elective conference.