JZ HAS BEEN SUSTAINED BY WEAKNESSES OF THE ANC LEADERSHIP
By Siyanda Mhlongo
Jacob Zuma has abandoned the African National Congress, finally. Harry Thembeyakhe Gwala warned the ANC Tripartite Alliance about “Zuma,our Inkatha” , uMntomdala was ignored. ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has vowed to engage Zuma to do what Veteran Mavuso Msimang did. Zuma started a long time ago to DECAMPAIGN ANC but the movement treated him as “Chief Zulu or Zulu Representative in the ANC”. Gedleyihlekisa is worse than Gatsha Ashpenaz Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The two diffences are that Buthelezi did not pickpocket the public purse and Zuma went to Robben Island and exile.
We lost Thami Zulu,a trusted Natal MK ,even today, Zuma has not been asked to account for his death because he is treated as a “Chief Representative of the Zulus” in the ANC. TZ was instrumental in turning Durban into a “bomb city” and spreading activities of MK in Natal especially in Pietermaritzburg and Newcastle. He was later called a “spy” , a lie which angered MK Hierarchy including Joe Modise,Martin Nkosana Hani, Ronnie Kasrils, Siphiwe Nyanda and others. TZ WAS NEVER A SPY AND THE FOLLOWING COMRADES NEVER SPIED FOR APARTHEID: SIPHIWE NYANDA, NGOAKO RAMATHLODI, DEREK HANEKOM AND BULELANI NGCUKA
The apartheid state unleashed violence in Natal, using Inkatha Yenkululeko Yesizwe as its extended arm. Jac Buchner was appointed to head KwaZulu Police,he was recruited from the Security Branch . Under him, Caprivians were trained by South African Defence Force of Magnus Malan. It was Gwala who marshalled forces to defend and advance democracy in Natal but Zuma and Mac Maharaj labelled him a “ warlord” but Gwala was not a warlord. Gwala had his weaknesses but it was his leadership and bravery that stopped wiping out of the movement in Natal.
He did not end up there,he bad-mouthed Gwala to discredit him so that he climbs up the hierarchy of the premier liberation movement. THE MOVEMENT CONTINUED TO TREAT HIM AS A SUPER-ZULU. This was a big blunder because the movement had produced outstanding Zulus, amongst them Josiah Gumede,Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli, Masabalala Yengwa, Moses Mabhida, Harry Gwala, Curnick Ndlovu, Dorothy Nyembe,Josiah Jele, Archie Gumede,Japhet Ndlovu,Gladys Manzi,Mathews Meyiwa,Riot Mkhwanazi,Tryphina Mboxela Njokweni, Mduduzi Big Boy Guma, Mzala Nxumalo, Msizeni Shadrack Maphumulo,Alzinah Zondi, Theophilus Dlodlo, Msizi Dube, Florence Mkhize,Reggie Hadebe, Anthony Mfendala Xaba, Zakhele Mdlalose in a long list .
These Zulus did not turn ANC into Amasela National Congress.
Some spent more than 10 years on Robbery Island viz Gwala,Xaba ,Meyiwa,Mdlalose, Ndlovu(Curnick), Justice Mpanza,Cletus Mzimela, Justice Gizenga Mpanza, Petrus Mthembu, Andrew Masondo, Mathews Ngcobo,Bafana Dlamini,Mzi Khumalo to name a few. Zuma spent 10 years. The movement has refused to teach people factual history and truly believe that Zuma represents Zulus and should not even be charged.
When he was arrested ,he was never involved in sabotage under the leadership of Curnick Ndlovu and Billy Nair who were the leadership of MK in Natal.
The two MK leaders received 20 years in jail. He was only trained in arms after 1975 when he left for exile because the movement issued a directive that even the leadership should be trained militarily. He was never trained in Cuba , Germany(GDR),USSR,China like many of his contemporaries like Thabo Mbeki,Max Sisulu,Eric Mtshali,Mavuso Msimang, Issac Mapoto,Justice Mpanza, Henry Fazzie,Chris Hani and many who participated in Wankie and Sipholilo Campaigns . The first person who taught him how to use AK-47 was Thabo Mbeki who had been trained in the USSR.
In 1976, the unit led by Harry Gwala was smashed and Zuma has said it many times that when he went to see Gwala he was told by his wife that Gwala had been arrested and” ngashaya utshani,I ran away” . Those who were arrested for the second time(Gwala, Meyiwa, Mdlalose and Xaba ) were given life sentence. Zuma always tell ignorant masses “ angilisabi ijele”. When President Ramaphosa gave him a presidential pardon, he did not refuse it.
ANC has been very reluctant to correct history when it comes to Zuma and Chief Buthelezi. Buthelezi has never been an active member of the ANC and ANCYL. Archives do not tell us false history. Zuma was not Head of Intelligence,it was Joe Nhlanhla. Later, Military Intelligence was formed under Ronnie Kasrils,uKhumalo.
He played his role In Intelligence including destruction of TZ. If he was a valuable Intelligence Leader, why did MK and Underground suffer so severely in Natal where we lost many many comrades in Swaziland including Maphumulo,Petrus Nzima ,Paul Dikeledi,Cassius Make, Theophilus Dlodlo,Zweli Nyanda and many who were kidnapped like Maphumulo,Sheila Nyanda,Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim,Joe Pillay to name a few.
If he was an effective Intelligence Operative or leader, why was a lie about TZ created and why it took so long to identify Edward Ralph Lawrence as a true spy with his wife?*
This couple BETRAYED many comrades inside and outside structures including Ben Langa,Grant Shezi,Sthabiso Mahlobo,Thuso Tshika,Zweli Nyanda whose brother was called a spy by Zuma.
Having seen Chief Buthelezi succeeding in using tribalism,he imported Gatshaism into the African National Congress. He was assisted by the passing of leaders like Mabhida,Gwala, Ndlovu,Guma,Maphumulo,Gumede,Dumisani Makhaye,Xaba, Nobleman Mzala Nxumalo.
The premier liberation movement shielded him but also help to establish him as a Chief Zulu or Super Zulu or Zulu Representative in the movement. Gwala warned ANC about Gatsha Buthelezi even after the arrest of Dorothy Nyembe,ANC ignored him. He also warned the movement about new Gatshaism in Zuma, the movement turned deaf.
He labelled comrades “ spies”, no action taken no reprimand. He worked with notorious persons like Izintombi Zoma, Richard Mdluli,Bennings Ntlemeza,Muziwendoda Kunene ,Ben Sipho Ngubane ,Linda Sibiya , lawyer who represented killers of Chris Hani to formulate a lie that some individuals in the ANC conspired in the killing of Hani. He appointed Jürgen Prinsloo to be his lawyer despite representing killers of the great matyre of South Africa,Hani. ANC NEVER REPRIMANDED HIM FOR THESE ASSOCIATIONS
Zuma was not forced to “ step-aside”, he was invited by ANC in KwaZulu-Natal to campaign. Other members were forced to “ step-aside” but all pay equal joining fee. When his wife voted with opposition in parliament, nothing was done . This created an impression that like in the Animal Farm “ some are more equal than others”. Dudu and Duduzani have not been investigated for the July Insurrection because they are Zumas. But in the ANC, there has been outstanding families,the Mandela’s, Sisulus,Cachalias,Mbekis, Sachs,Minis, Nkadimengs,Gumedes who have refused to misbehave like the Zumas .
The premier liberation movement was supposed to assist him with self destruction, it
Zuma showed ANC the middle finger when he refused to honour his date with Justice Zondo. The movement did not defend the Commission,the Judge and his recommendations from Zuma. He was treated as a “Super Comrade”.
WORSE,he was given a presidential pardon by President Ramaphosa assisted by Minister Ronald Lamola. Instead of thanking Ramaphosa, he was scathing to him,showing his true colours. Like Adolf Hitler, Zuma cannot be appeased. The West tried to appease the Fuhrer, he invaded the whole of Europe.
The Appeasement Approach by Ramaphosa and the NEC is now backfiring.
Zuma is presenting Phala Phala as worse than Inkandleyihlekisa Palace and State Capture scandals. Having been exposed in the Zondo Commission, Ramaphosa was not supposed to engage himself in a Phala Phala scandal which looks like blatant money laundering. Zuma knows that Ramaphosa cannot present himself as a revolutionary moralist. It becomes easier for him to challenge Ramaphosa on moral and ethical issues and to label him as an “agent of White Monopoly Capital”.
ANC , fearing Zuma, has allowed him to work with the EFF. The Chief Contacts of the EFF with him are his lawyer Dali Christopher Mpofu and Jimmy Manyi. This has been going on for a long time, the ANC was afraid to confront the problem.
SOME KEY POINTS
1. ANCVL led by Snuki Zikalala has to teach the public ( my emphasis)how Umkhonto WeSizwe was formed because there was distortion made by Zuma, deliberately. ANC and MK were independent for a very short period. He hid the context as well as time MK was put under the direction of the ANC hence Oliver Tambo was elected or automatically became the Commander In-Chief.
Young people and even elderly who do not read history of the movement will believe Zuma if Veterans and the NEC do not quickly correct the distortion.
Those who served in MK at its inception and during the 1980s must clarify his role. Zuma’s contemporaries are still alive as well as those who served in MK like Ronnie Kasrils, Siphiwe Nyanda,Thabang Makwetla, Solly Spoke,Mac Maharaj, Ismaili Aboobaker,James Ngculu, Barry Guilder,Wally Serote, Ayanda Ntsaluba, Gibson Njenje, Thenjiwe Mtintso, Keith Mokoape,,Vusi Mavimbela, Sonny Singh and many must clarify how MK was formed and worked.
People must be referred to various statements and articles in Sechaba and Dawn publications and decisions of the National Consultative Conferences.
2. ANC has expelled people who voted with the opposition in many councils. Members of the ANC are only allowed to join only ONE party, the South African Communists Party. This must be explained not only to members but also to the nation.
3. While Zuma wants to DECAMPAIGN ANC, his main concern is that it is inevitable that his court case “isemome”. ANC will not accompany him to court and his attempt to capture SANCO failed dismally, he is creating an umbrella for his court appearances. He also thinks, he can intimidate prosecution and judiciary by forming Umkhonto WeSizwe Party.
4. In the last conference, he was humiliated. His first preference,his wife, was not elected and his option Dr Zwelini Lawrence Mkhize was defeated . He tried to use KwaZulu-Natal to disrupt the conference by arriving late,he failed. When he failed to disrupt the conference,he left with his tail between the legs .
The conference was adjourned,when he entered the KwaZulu-Natal adjourned national conference, he did not receive attention and left early again.
He tried to parachute her daughter to lead ANCYL, again, he failed dismally.
HIS POPULARITY HAS DWIDLED SIGNIFICANTLY. The problem is that the NEC and PEC will continue “ massaging” him than ignoring him. I listened to KZN Spokesman Mafika Mndebele “ massaging” the man who is the most corrupt misleader in the ANC before yesterday. In Nasrec, a significant number of delegates voted Cyril Ramaphosa,than Mkhize. He never expected a huge support for Ramaphosa.
Either, he is ignored or his departure from the ANC is confirmed. Summoning him to NDC will make him popular, that is what he wants. It is time that the NEC stops “double standards” , the next thing, members will join two parties other than SACP.
5. KwaZulu-Natal and members of the ANC NEC must be stopped from consulting Zuma, telephonically or physically.
Serious RENEWAL has not begun in the ANC. Massaging Zuma will delay this programme at the detriment for the movement that is already weak.
Mavuso Msimang and Zuma stand for different things in the ANC. What is the value of persuading Zuma who has loose morals and absent ethics? He slept with a daughter of Judson Khuzwayo ,his jailmate on Robben Island. Both spent 10 years on the Island and died in a horrific car accident in Zambia
6. We were correct at Polokwane by warning ANC about Zuma, the wedge-driver. Those who are members of the ANC were misled by many whose appetite for positions replaced revolutionary morality and ethics.
He was glorified even by the Left led by Blade Nzimande and Zwelinzima Vavi. He was even backed by Kgalema Motlanthe who was a student of Gwala and Oom Gov ( Govan Mbeki) on Robben Island.I am happy that Zuma has completed his assignment on proving us correct.
Unfortunately ,the movement has a President who is not decisive and tough as nails. He studies “ balance of forces” before acting. The Phala Phala Saga has also compromised him. It is his weaknesses that Zuma is manipulating.
For a long time , Chief Buthelezi lied profusely that the ANC wanted to eliminate him . This lie was buried by Thabo Mbeki in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. CHIEF Buthelezi stopped spewing and spreading the lie. CHIEF Zuma likes to spew a lie that there are people who are hunting him without any attempt to report the plot to the authorities or naming plotters in public. There is no value in killing him . This is Gatshaism strategy aimed at seeking sympathy and he is facing court appearances.
There is a speech that Chief Zuma delivered in KwaDukuza which he was contradicting when he was divorcing ANC for wrong reasons. That speech has to be circulated widely because it exposes him as a highly unprincipled character.
Zuma is a factory fault of the ANC since the death of Thami Zulu. It needs strong principled leaders to tame him for good. I doubt this could happen under Ramaphosa. Unfortunately, the Secretary General Fikile Mbalula is showing glaring weaknesses. Remember,he promised to meet the man about his taking Zuma to court. He did not come back to tell the nation and organisation how was the engagement. Zuma continued dragging his President to court.
