Africa’s leaders are never poor
SOUTH Africa and the ANC do not need the SANDF to engage in a “silent and bloodless coup” to end misrule by President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Mhlan-ganyelwa Zuma, also known as Pedro in SACP before the unbanning.
People must not blindly think that Emmerson Mnangagwa and Cyril Ramaphosa are “Messiahs and Holy Cows”. They tolerated former president Robert Mugabe and Zuma to “keep their jobs and wealth accumulation” only to be vocal as these presidents thought “leadership is sexually transmitted”.
SANDF is pluralistic and unlike in Zimbabwe where its chief commander signs allegiance to the president, ours pay allegiance to the constitution. Since 2009, we have also blocked attempts by Zuma to violate the constitution and erode principles of democracy as enshrined in the Freedom Charter and the constitution.
Thanks to freedom fighters like Ronnie Kasrils, Sandi Sejake, Pallo Jordan, judges Pius Langa and Zac Yacoob who encouraged the nation to reject the Secrecy Bill, otherwise people like Vytjie Mentor, Themba Maseko, Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Barbara Hogan, Pravin Gordhan, Mcebisi Jonas, Jacques Pauw, SABC 8 and those testifying in SABC and SOEs parliamentary probes would be in jail, had this bill become law.
The nation must be reminded that Blade Nzimande, Siyabonga Cwele and Dennis Dhlomo pushed for this bill.
President Mnangagwa’s membership to Zanu-PF and his role in Zipra is not a sin. His role in butchering the Ndebeles will not be probed as per the wish of the West. He will not tell the truth that involvement of his family, army generals and Zanu-PF leadership led to the Zim army’s central role in the DRC and Rwanda conflicts.
In his inauguration, he praised Mugabe’s role in the struggle, which is not wrong, but said nothing about Joshua Nkomo, who was humiliated by Mugabe.
Similarly, Ramaphosa will not apologise to Marikana widows and orphans. He is still waiting for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to take him to Marikana. He has not told the truth that 23 SANDF members who died in the Central African Republic went there to defend interests of “imperial forces” within the ANC, same thing the Zim army did when it got involved in the DRC and Rwanda.
Mbeki was correct in dismissing Zuma but Ramaphosa and Kgalema Motlanthe rallied behind Zuma. The rolling out of ARVs did not start in 2009. Removal of stevudine proved that Mbeki was correct. As deputy president, Ramaphosa has avoided any mention of African Renaissance and Nepad as it is a Mbeki legacy.
Zuma cannot be blamed for the “junk status” corruption and all ills of incumbency. Mugabe cannot be blamed for all mistakes that has led to the Zimbabwe economic crisis.
Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa were there but were scared to raise objections. Mn an gagwa did not protect foreign investments and Joice Mujuru.
Zuma and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma did not protect Gordhan from Edward Zuma. Both knew that the Guptas were taking millions mainly via Angola.
We applaud this first step by Mnangagwa. We are pleading for the ANC branches to remove Zuma, the Guptas, Putin, and the tripartite alliance this month. But we must be vigilant as Prof PLO Lumumba said “in Africa, the shortest route to ill-gotten wealth is political leadership”.
If you want to get wealth without working for it, join African politics. This is everywhere in Africa except Tanzania. Seeing Zuma’s children become millionaires in seven years and Mnangagwa with bling cars and cash worried me. Siyanda Mhlongo
‘The shortest route to ill-gotten wealth is political leadership’