Hanekom wishes for earlier closure of ANN7 after Zuma coverage at BLF event

After news channel ANN7 broadcast a speech on Saturday by former president Jacob Zuma speaking at a Black First Land First (BLF) event, ANC national executive committee (NEC) member and tourism minister Derek Hanekom called for the channel to be shut down before it goes off air in August.

Other major news channels did not air the event, instead choosing to focus on the funeral of former minister Zola Skweyiya.

It was the first time that Zuma has so openly associated himself with the BLF, whose leader, Andile Mngxitama, has long been his supporter and led calls for Zuma not to resign as state president in February following his recall.

Andile just apologised to erstwhile President Zuma for asking him to pay back the money when he was with the EFF. Calls it one of his rare political mistakes. #BLF

— Khaya Sithole (@CoruscaKhaya) April 21, 2018

In his speech, Zuma said the issue of land was more than just a mere political concern but was a matter of “life and death”.

“The matter we are talking about is not just another political matter, to us it a life and death question. You talk about inequality, you talk about poverty, you talk about unemployment. It all emanates from the land question,” said Zuma to much acclaim from the BLF.

Zuma told the event that economic power and security were more important than mere political power. Tickets to the event were reportedly R350.

“The land question is by no doubt the biggest hill of our democracy. It must always be emphasised that the struggle against colonialism and later apartheid centred on the land question, which failed to find adequate expression towards a solution in the 24 years of our democracy.

“Until this question is resolved to the benefit of the African majority, our development and the battle against poverty, unemployment and inequality will remain elusive,” said Zuma.

However, Hanekom was not impressed by the president, nor ANN7, a channel that was started by Zuma’s friends the Guptas and which is now owned and apparently paid off by Mzwanele Manyi.

Tweeting on Saturday, Hanekom wrote: “Eish. The sooner ANN7 closes down the better. Giving such coverage to a person facing so many corruption charges; who brought our country to the brink of disaster and who thinks it’s okay, as a 76 year old man, to get a 24 year old girl pregnant…”

Eish. The sooner ANN7 closes down the better. Giving such coverage to a person facing so many corruption charges; who brought our country to the brink of disaster and who thinks it's okay, as a 76 year old man, to get a 24 year old girl pregnant…

— Derek Hanekom (@Derek_Hanekom) April 21, 2018

Hanekom was referring to news that Zuma had a child with 24-year-old Nonkanyiso Conco, who he plans to make his seventh wife.

Hanekom was among those ministers Zuma fired in a controversial reshuffle in March 2017, only for him to get his job back a year later when Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new cabinet after becoming president.

Others were also not impressed at Zuma’s appearance.

Zuma didn’t go bury Zola Skweyiya, a struggle stalwart, but elected to spend the evening with BLF political misfits.

— Sentletse 🇷🇺🇿🇦🇵🇸 (@Sentletse) April 21, 2018

Nevertheless, Hanekom was also criticised over perceptions that he was perhaps less concerned about Zuma speaking than the fact that Zuma was calling for land expropriation.

Mngxitama and regular ANN7 commentator Kim Heller were particularly unimpressed.

https://twitter.com/Mngxitama/status/987946945615409152

ANN7 announced in January that it would not be renewing ANN7’s contract when it expires in August. Instead, it is looking for a new “black-owned TV channel”.

During a briefing on Wednesday, CEO Calvo Mawela said they had made mistakes in the past, but added there was no corruption between MultiChoice and ANN7, as has been reportedd

“Mistakes were made, with regards to lobbying process and failure to do due diligence, but there was no evidence of corruption or illegal activity.”

Mawela apologised for the “mistakes that were made” in the relationship with ANN7.

“In light of the ongoing controversies, it will not be appropriate to renew ANN7’s current contract when it ends in August. Instead, we are starting the process of looking for a new black-owned news channel.”

Eastern Cape ANC member Andile Lungisa was quick to criticise Hanekom.

He told him on Twitter: :You might be a ANC member by name only, the hatred you have for former President Zuma is the hatred you never had for Verwoerd or apartheid police & army generals who presided over crimes against the humanity of black people in this country.”

Lungisa was found guilty of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm this week. He smashed a glass jug over the head of the DA’s former member of the mayoral committee Rano Kayser during a Nelson Mandela Bay council meeting in October 2016.

Kayser sustained multiple lacerations to his head and neck, including a deep gash to his left temple that required stitches.