‘Don’t pay for Zuma’
MANTASHE WARNS ANC STRUCTURES AND MEMBERS THAT DOING SO WOULD BE IN CONTEMPT OF CONCOURT RULING
ANC structures that help to raise the money for President Jacob Zuma to pay for the Nkandla upgrades will be “destroying” the president and will be in contempt of court.
This is according to ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, who warned yesterday that the Constitutional Court was clear that Zuma had to pay the money personally.
“All I am saying is that the ConCourt is quite clear, the ANC cannot pay whatever amount.
“A structure of the ANC cannot do that because if it’s traced and found to be that it will be in contempt of court,” he said.
Mantashe was speaking to Sowetan on the sidelines of the press conference at the ANC headquarters, Luthuli House, in Johannesburg following its national list conference and the meeting of its national executive committee (NEC) at the weekend.
Since last month Mpumalanga premier David Mabuza has been leading the campaign to raise funds to help Zuma. A region in his province, Ehlanzeni, has decided to set up a trust account to help Zuma.
North West and Free State, led by Zuma allies Supra Mahumapelo and Ace Magashule respectively, have also indicated they would support the president in paying for the Nkandla costs.
Asked specifically about such pronouncements, Mantashe reiterated: “Those people who are saying that are actually destroying the president out of love.”
He also warned individuals who wanted to raise funds for Zuma.
“The ANC cannot stand between the president and whatever relations he has with individuals. But all we are saying is that even at that level, if that individual boasts and says ‘I have raised so much for the president’ they actually will be on the wrong side of the law.”
Zuma’s hand on power was strengthened after the governing party’s NEC endorsed an earlier decision to accept his apology, rejecting calls for his recall.
After the ConCourt decision that Zuma had violated the constitution in his handling of the Nkandla matter and that he should personally pay back a reasonable amount, the party’s national working committee said his apology should be accepted.
Even the ANC’s probe into the influence that his friends, the Gupta family, allegedly have on cabinet appointments was fruitless after only one out of the eight people who met Mantashe made a written submission.
“The allegations made were serious, they cannot be treated lightly and many warrant a comprehensive investigation. The NEC has advised comrades to formalise their complaints to institutions that deal with complaints of this nature,” he said.
Mantashe said the seven members who did not want to make submissions had noted they feared being targeted, including losing their jobs.
ANC Mpumalanga secretary Mandla Ndlovu said at the time they offered to pay for Zuma and would do so should there be a request from the president. “Up until now there has not been any request,” he said.
ANC Free State spokesman Thabo Meeko said: “If it is the understanding of the SG, the province will relook into the issue and comply because the national leadership guides us.”
ANC North West secretary Dakota Legoete, who said they would support Zuma financially, could not be reached for comment.