Vavi, Jim launch attack on Zuma
ANC PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma is like a troubled child you cannot trust with your grandmother’s old-age grant because he will steal it, Numsa boss Irvin Jim said at a public meeting in Wells Estate last night.
Jim and former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi were campaigning for the United Front in Port Elizabeth yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s crucial municipal elections.
Addressing about 300 residents, Jim spoke about the struggles of the working class, saying they were far from over.
Jim, who also sang and danced with residents at the Wells Estate Community Hall, lambasted the ANC, which he said was no longer a political party that selflessly fought for workers.
“The ANC that we are stuck with, and has turned against us, is like alcohol that gives you a stomach ache after you have consumed it,” he said.
He spoke of the time when former president Thabo Mbeki was forced to step down.
“I remember when we took down former president Mbeki in 2007, and we placed Zuma as our leader. We had so much faith in him. Oh, we loved him dearly.
“Before he was in for long, he turned against us . . . He is like a troubled son that you can’t leave alone with your grandmother’s grant [because] he will steal it.” Vavi also spoke of his disappointment in Zuma, saying he had not addressed the dignity of the working class.
“Every time we spoke of the working class he [Zuma] would say that he hears us, and he would address those problems once he is president, so we fought for him.
“We wanted to restore black people’s dignity and free them from oppression and exploitation.
“Instead, when he came to power, he destroyed everything.”