I’m not leaving the ANC, says Khoza

Outspoken ANC parliamentarian Makhosi Khoza has no plans to leave the ANC.

Against a backdrop of continued threats and intimidation after her pledge to vote against President Jacob Zuma in the upcoming parliamentary no-confidence debate, Khoza told The Citizen yesterday: “No, I’m not leaving the ANC, but I want it to restore its former glory as a moral and ethical-centred organisation that sides with people and roots out corruption.”

And, despite accusations from some in the ANC that she is part of a broader conspiracy to unseat Zuma, Khoza said vehemently that she was not working with any opposition groupings.

“I don’t work with the opposition, I work with the citizens of South Africa and I took an oath of office to uphold the supreme law of the land.

“My comrades must appreciate that these are extraordinary times and I have never voted against the ANC, I will always vote consistent with ANC mission, policies and rules – my vote is for South Africa.”

She was responding to remarks made on Wednesday by ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa, who told The Citizen that Khoza’s only agenda in speaking out against the challenges faced by the party was to “irritate the ANC to the core”.

He said there was a deliberate attempt to force the ANC into taking strong action against Khoza, so as to portray it as a party that does not accept dissenting views.

This week, on Mandela Day, Khoza again did not mince her words when she said Zuma was “haunting” the nation and should therefore resign.

Ever since Khoza started being vocal on the issues facing her party, she has been receiving death threats. These later prompted authorities to do something about beefing up her security.

It was only on Tuesday that parliament acknowledged that it was aware of the threats Khoza received while the portfolio committee on public service and administration she heads was conducting oversight outside of parliament.

Khoza then responded in a Facebook post on Wednesday, saying Police Minister Fikile Mbalula only tried to call her on Tuesday, adding that police crime intelligence had only done a security assessment on her circumstances more than two months after she reported the threats.

Meanwhile, another leader who received threats in recent months was South African Communist Party deputy general secretary, Solly Mapaila, who has on numerous occasions called on Zuma to step down.

Two political analysts believe there is more reason for concern over the threats. Elvis Masoga said they were a clear indication that the ANC presidential succession battle would continue to be dramatic and viciously scary.

“What is making matters worse is, because Zuma and his camp are well aware of the fact Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma does not stand a good chance of emerging victorious from the ANC elective conference later this year, this makes him [Zuma] even more desperate and probably dangerous because he does not want to go to jail over his corruption scandals.”

Another analyst, Professor Andre Duvenhage, echoed Masoga’s sentiments, saying Zuma was aware of the high risk if his ex-wife does not win at the elective conference.

“I think Zuma has a strong strategy to attain his goal and part of that strategy is to play dirty.” – stevent@citizen.co.za