And out of left field comes…

AFTER teasing his followers on Twitter last weekend, we now know that former government spin doctor and recent Gupta acolyte Mzwanele Manyi hopes to be propelled to a parliamentary seat via an obscure political party.

The African Transformation Movement, ATM for short, got the most media attention yesterday when it unveiled Manyi as a member. Some in the room even sang “My president” as the former owner of The New Age and ANN7 television channel was introduced to the media.

ATM, which was established after Jacob Zuma’s axing as president, had even lobbied him to lead the party.

The party was established by Caesar Nongqunga, who is the president of the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ, which means that unlike other parties it would not be strapped for cash when it comes to campaigning. Those tithes will come in handy.

At the press conference, Manyi, a former president of the Black Management Forum, said the last straw for him in deciding to dump the ANC was the treatment of black executives at state-owned enterprises.

Manyi mentioned the likes of former Transnet chief executive Siyabonga Gama and Eskom chief executive Phakamani Hadebe.

Gama was axed by Transnet’s board over allegations of serious violations of his financial, procurement, and fiduciary duties.

Gama has been caught in the destructive Gupta state capture web over the procurement of the R50billion locomotive acquisition deal, which was rumoured to have included a R5bn kickback for Tequesta, a Gupta-controlled group.

In August 2017, the Guptas sold their media assets to Manyi for R450million in a “vendor finance” deal. But less than a year later, both ventures went the way of the dodo, while the Guptas showed a collective middle finger to parliamentary inquiries into allegations of state capture at Eskom.

Whatever happens between now and May’s elections, Manyi’s presence in the National Assembly will make for an interesting spectacle.