“President lied about Mbeki’s exit”
Ramaphosa is the one who opposed recall, says Malema
Former national executive committee members have labelled President Jacob Zuma a liar.
This after Zuma, who was recalled by the NEC on Monday night, yesterday told the SABC in an interview that he did not support the recall of former president Thabo Mbeki in 2008.
“I was saying we should not recall comrade Mbeki, it will set a bad precedent. Of course I was defeated by the majority,” Zuma said.
Yesterday, Sowetan spoke to former NEC members who were part of the meeting which took a decision to recall Mbeki.
Former tourism minister Derek Hanekom said Zuma was not telling the truth.
“To the best of my recollection I don’t think he is telling the truth. I have spoken to a number of comrades who were in that meeting. He did not advise against the recall of Mbeki.”
Hanekom accused Zuma of playing a victim card.
“Either way, if he does not resign he is going to be removed tomorrow [today]”
Justice committee chairman Mathole Motshekga said Zuma was not telling the truth when he said he did not support Mbeki’s recall.
“It is not true. He did not say anything against it,” Motshekga said.
Former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, who now leads the EFF, tweeted that Zuma was talking rubbish.
“CR [ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa] is the one who opposed it. Zuma told me that we should remove Mbeki because he can’t work with him.”
However, Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association president Kebby Maphatsoe, who was part of the lobby group which propelled Zuma to power in 2007, said Zuma did speak out against the recall of Mbeki.
“He tried to convince comrades not to recall Mbeki.”
Maphatsoe said Zuma always reminded the previous NEC that he was against Mbeki’s recall.
“When a motion of no confidence against Zuma was tabled by the previous NEC he told comrades that he was against the recall of Mbeki. No one said, ‘president you are lying’.”
Maphatsoe added that Zuma asked NEC members why they wanted to beat a dead snake in reference to Mbeki.
Former ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa declined to comment, saying: “I don’t want to comment on anything. It is a calculated decision. Let it play itself out.”