By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula has criticized former president Jacob Zuma for bringing problems into the party, including Nkandla Scandal, and the State Capture.
Mbalula delivered an address at the SAMWU-Petrus Mashishi Brigade Launch at the SAMWU Head Office, Johannesburg.
He said if Zuma was still in the ANC, he would not qualify to be on their list.
Zuma no longer qualifies to lead due to his criminal record, and he is aware of this. Mbalula said those with criminal records or facing criminal charges are not on ANC lists.
“He’s been mobilising members of the ANC and everyone else against the movement. History will remember him for that – for putting the ANC in a difficult position as a former president and a former stalwart of the movement.”
The secretary-general said MK Party members were the ones encouraging violence, citing their recent threat to disrupt the upcoming elections if Zuma was not included on the ballot papers.
“It’s very strange that Zuma would speak as if he’s a Messiah, as in fact we are in these troubles because of him. We don’t mind him (giving) his party his own name, but we mind if he’s going to use ANC assets as his own.
“We don’t go to court because we lack confidence; we go to court because we are confident. We know, and the world knows, that MK belongs to the ANC.”
Mbalula further said, “It is worth noting that most people who are joining that thing are mostly people who had problems with the ANC. They are people who were at the door and just waiting for a home to be established for them by that man. Today they act brand new – we know them.”
The war of words comes as the MK Party continues to make inroads in regions and areas previously dominated by the ANC, despite some opposition parties regarding the Zuma-backed party as a regional one.
Zuma enjoys popular support in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. He also has considerable backing in the Gauteng province. These were the two provinces primarily affected in the 2021 riots, and where the ANC might struggle to win elections this year.