Supra’s intention ‘is to hurt’ ANC
MPOFU FACTOR: EFF CHAIR ‘DEFENDS ZUMA’S FACTION’
A weaker party under Ramaphosa would allow a crisis to be declared – analyst.
Supra Mahumapelo’s “dishonest” bid to have the ANC’s decision to disband North West’s provincial executive committee (PEC) will cost the ANC in next year’s elections, a political analyst says.
But that seems to be the exact intention of Mahumapelo and the remaining faction of the ANC aligned to former president Jacob Zuma, said Ralph Mathekga, a senior researcher at the Centre for Humanities Research.
Mathekga, who attended the ANC’s December 2017 Nasrec conference, questioned Mahumapelo’s motives for fighting the ANC’s disbandment of the PEC.
“They want to deny [President Cyril Ramaphosa] and the rest of the [current] leadership the capability of campaigning with the North West as well as other areas, because we must not be naive, Supra has a lot of support, even outside the North West,” he said.
“And it means that instead of the party focusing on keeping the election machinery going, they are focusing on those who feel disgruntled and that can only lead to the poor performance of the ANC.”
This would, in turn, benefit the faction that wanted Ramaphosa to fail because a weaker ANC under him would allow a crisis to be declared in the party, making an exchange of power a definite possibility.
“[The faction] is even wiling to drive the party to harm so that they can get it back,” he said.
Mahumapelo lost his North West chairmanship when the PEC was disbanded in August. This was after ANC claimed branches were dysfunctional amid a leadership crisis after the December conference.
In papers filed in the High Court in Johannesburg yesterday, Mahumapelo’s legal team, led by advocate Dali Mpofu, argued that if the North West branches were dysfunctional since 2016, as the ANC claims, then the December conference was illegal.
But then again, the weakening of the ANC towards the 2019 election could also explain the continued presence of EFF chairperson Mpofu in cases defending components of the so-called Zuma faction, including former South African Revenue Service commissoner Tom Moyane, and now Mahumapelo, suggested Mathekga. –
Saturday Citizen had asked Denel to confirm a Reuters report that Saudi Arabia made a R14 billion bid for a partnership with Denel that would include the acquisition of a minority stake in a joint venture with Rheinmetall Denel Munition.
“I am not in a position to answer to details on any specific country or company interest to invest in Denel,” said Denel’s head of communications Pam Malinda.
“However, as part of the efforts to reposition the company and find a sustainable funding model, some of the options Denel is discussing [subject to board and shareholder approval] include the consideration of exiting noncore capability areas, restructuring the cost base, exploring partnerships on core nonviable businesses and to drive a strong export orientation through strategic equity partners and joint ventures. These are all still only at internal discussion and exploration stage.”
Denel said it was aware that various government institutions confirmed discussions had taken place between SAMI and various organs of state in South Africa.
However, Malinda argued that since Denel was a state entity under the department of public enterprises (DPE), such a deal had to be pursued by SAMI on a stateto-state basis. “The South African government’s regulatory framework dictates this approach to these kinds of overtures.
“Denel’s response would then be guided by its board, the DPE and possibly National Treasury among relevant institutions.”
Denel’s last attempt to enter the multibillion-rand Asian arms race was thwarted when it was revealed that Denel Asia, the would-be joint venture between the utility and VR-Laser Asia was wrought with links to the controversial Gupta family. The event cost the state R400 million.
The discussions with Saudi Arabia have been met with criticism by some who pointed out that the middle-eastern monarchy was linked to human rights atrocities, such as its ongoing and deadly occupancy in the neighbouring Yemen, as well as the recent death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
in turn, benefit the anti-Cyril faction. Denel’s response would then be guided by its board, the DPE and possibly National Treasury.
Pam Malinda Denel head of communications