Zuma’s call for rebellion against Ramaphosa at Nasrec ‘very reckless’

Former president Jacob Zuma’s call for delegates at the ANC’s 55th elective conference on Friday to reject organisational reports by President Cyril Ramaphosa and acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile was “unfortunate and very reckless”, ANC NEC member Senzo Mchunu said.

Mchunu, who was addressing a mini-rally in Limpopo at the weekend, said while the party encourages its members to respect former presidents and elders, they, too, must respect the party.

Mchunu, who is also current water and sanitation minister in Ramaphosa’s Cabinet, said according to media reports, Zuma called on delegates to reject the two bigwigs’ reports.

On Wednesday last week, Zuma launched another apparent attack on the sitting president when he said delegates must ask themselves whether current leaders seeking re-election to various posts should be allowed to deliver their political and organisational reports at the conference.

Mchunu took advantage of the jubilant crowd to share his frustrations on Zuma’s apparent attack on the country’s first citizen and the party’s engine, Mashatile.

“We respect elderly people. This is the tradition of the ANC. The party has taught us long ago to respect old people, especially those who are former presidents. But they also need to respect the ANC so that they become exemplary; so that they become role models.

“I have a problem with the recent statement where the former president allegedly said when Ramaphosa and Mashatile give their statements, they must not be listened to. I only hope this is not true. I just hope the reports are a lie,” said Mchunu to loud cheers.

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An independent political analyst, Metji Makgoba, said the beef between Zuma and Ramaphosa was becoming more personal than political.

“It started in 2008, when Zuma refused to give way for Ramaphosa to lead the organisation and the country.

“Ramaphosa strengthened the rivalry when he launched the anti-corruption crusade and the renewal programme, which Zuma thought was directed at him and his former administration.

“Since then, Zuma had criticised everything that has Ramaphosa’s name written on it. But he has no leg to stand on.”

Makgoba said ANC delegates at the conference were likely to reject his call and listen to the reports, because these are reports vital to the conference.

“These are the very same reports that would guide the ANC to where it comes from and which route it should take going forward,” Makgoba said.

Zuma recently called his successor “a corrupt and a treasonous businessman” who is hustling on the side. The former president was believed to be referring to the discovery of US dollars allegedly found hidden in sofas at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm in Waterberg in Limpopo in 2020. Zuma said Ramaphosa should face the law.

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But “Zuma was day-dreaming”, said Mashilo Maloko, chair of the richest ANC branch, Phusela branch in Norman Mashabane, Limpopo.

“This is Ramaphosa we are talking about. It is understood why Zuma hates Ramaphosa so much. First, Ramaphosa is running a less stressful and corruption-free government and second, the level of education that the former president has acquired speaks to the way he understands how government should be run.

“We said it before, Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC and the country. Ramaphosa will still be the president of this country after the conference.

“If I were Zuma, I would relax and enjoy my old age in peace. Politics are for people such as Ramaphosa, Paul Mashatile and, Mbaks [Fikile Mbalula] – and not for chancers such as Zuma,” said Maloko.