ANC throws Zuma under the bus

Liberation movements mostly subscribe to the principle of democratic centralism. The essence of this is that decisions are arrived at in a democratic fashion and once a decision is taken, it becomes binding on all, even those who were opposed.

There is a narrative being driven by the CR17 crusade and those opposed to former president Jacob Zuma, pictured, that he alone is responsible for the “nine wasted years”. This narrative is also driven by the media and is gaining traction. I am not certain to what extent this narrative has found acceptance within the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, but it does not emanate from there.

Zuma’s application for the chairman to recuse himself is an attempt to address this narrative and place the blame on the commission when it should be directed at the ANC.

Zuma was not a dictator who took decisions on his own. The party adhered to its constitution and met all its constitutional obligations of holding national executive committee meetings, national general council conferences and national conferences during the “nine wasted years”.

If the principle of democratic centralism is anything to go by, the ANC ratified and endorsed all the decisions taken during the “nine wasted years”. To now throw Zuma under the bus is not only disingenuous of the party, but cowardly. The ANC stood up seven times in parliament and defended Zuma and blocked every motion of no confidence presented. The party should, as a matter of principle, stand by their man.

In the words of the then secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, “No army sends its troops to be commanded by enemy generals”. I dare say, no party sends its president to be crucified by foreign generals, especially for decisions the party endorsed or turned a blind eye to.

Azwiambi Tshitangano

EFF Gauteng MPL – writing in his personal capacity