By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General alleges that the party veterans like Mavuso Msimang are being ‘bribed’ to join the new political formation of businessman, Roger Jardine.
Mbalula was addressing the community of Merafong in the West Rand.
Jardine is said to have the backing of corporate South Africa, which is hoping he will bridge the gap between the Democratic Alliance and ANC.
“Roger Jardine is a project we know, we know that. We know that there is a project called Roger Jardine who comes from the family of the ANC…a civil servant of note. So, they want to make him a black face of the Moonshot committee. That is what they want. So, people who are fearful are the ones entertaining the issue of the Moonshot, not the ANC. Roger Jardine is a project of the Moonshot Pact and the DA.”
Msimang sent his resignation letter to Mbalula, saying his “time and energies would be better spent elsewhere”.
He listed South Africa’s struggling economy, the poor functioning of Eskom and Transnet and the ANC’s inability to rein in corrupt individuals as among his reasons for leaving the party.
Msimang has been outspoken in recent years about the ANC’s failures. It hasn’t always been well received though.
The ANC veteran’s resignation came on the same day that Mbalula called on the veterans to stop attacking the party and its leaders.
“We call on them to work with the structures of the organisation. All of us availed ourselves to the veterans’ counsel and direction, everyone including the president.
“Day and night, veterans and stalwarts have led a charge on this organisation.
“They are attacking and de-campaigning our movement as we face difficulties,” Mbalula said.
It has since emerged that ANC veterans have tried to get Msimang to change his mind over his resignation.
“I’m talking to my comrades. I feel their hurt and they are sincere,” said Msimang.
He, however, was not certain he would be able to rejoin the ANC.
DA leader John Steenhuisen and Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille met with Jardine in Cape Town last week about being the Multi-Party Charter’s presidential candidate.
The charter consists of seven political parties, namely the DA, Inkatha Freedom Party, Freedom Front Plus, ActionSA, United Independent Movement, Spectrum National Party and the Independent South African National Civics Organisation.
Under the pact, the parties will be exploring a pre-election agreement aimed at forming an alternative government to the ANC following next year’s elections.
Mbalula has echoed the sentiments of ANC member, David Makhura, who also accused the DA of trying to use Jardine for his black face and struggle credentials.
He has welcomed more than 50 expelled EFF members back into the party. This after the EFF fired some of its public representatives who failed to organise transport for supporters to the party’s 10th anniversary rally.
“We are strengthened by the presence of these comrades and there are many others in the EFF, some have left who we will be joining the ANC back. And we are telling them that we welcome you with open hands you will not be judged here in the ANC and we appreciate the fact that on their own voluntary they chose to come back home and they’ve got their reasons why they do so.”
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Video Courtesy of MYANC.