Mbalula hits back at Zille for trafficking lies and calls for closure of all spaza shops.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the party would meet with its alliance partner, South African Communist Party (SACP) leadership amid differences over the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Mbalula was addressing members of the media on key political developments, including our submission on the Electoral reform process, updates on the regulation of spaza shops and related matters that have been impacting on lives of our people.

ANC and SACP relationship has been strained since the ANC chose to work with the Democratic Alliance (DA) after the May 29 elections.

In a POPCRU meeting on Tuesday, SACP secretary general Solly Mapaila accused prominent ANC leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and Mbalula, of trying to silence his criticism of the DA’s inclusion in the GNU.

Mapaila also criticised Ramaphosa’s leadership, arguing that the Phala Phala report raised serious questions about the president’s integrity.

“The ANC acknowledges the concerns raised by the South African Communist Party and reaffirms the value of our longstanding alliance within the tripartite alliance.

“However, we have noted the recent public statements Mapaila, which appear to challenge ANC leadership and particularly target Ramaphosa.

“While the ANC respects the SACP as a key ally, we believe that differences within the alliance should be managed internally with the appropriate decorum, honouring our shared history and revolutionary principles,” said Mbalula.

Government of National Unity (GNU)

The ANC has “categorically rejected” what it labels baseless claims by DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille regarding the party’s alleged role in shaping Government of National Unity (GNU).

This after Zille told the South Africa Chamber of Commerce UK that the DA was instructed by the business community to protect Ramaphosa from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.

Zille claimed that the EFF and MK Party were not suitable GNU partners because their presence would prompt large investors to leave the country.

Mbalula said, his party viewed Zille’s claims not only as “false but deliberately misleading, aiming to distort historical facts and elevate her importance in national matters where they lack any foundational relevance”.

Mbalula said Zille’s repeated urge to interfere in the ANC’s internal affairs and her ongoing public attacks on Ramaphosa exposed a “shameless bid for power and influence”, which he said she had not earned and would not attain through continued reckless posturing.

“We see through these calculated attempts to undermine the ANC’s leadership. It is clear that Zille and her party seek only to weaken the ANC from within, hoping to gain what they cannot secure at the ballot box,” he averred.

Mbalula said the DA did not produce genuine criticism, but rather a “desperate grasp at relevance by a party failing to appeal to the vast majority of South Africans”.

Spaza Shops

Mbalula said the government should immediately move to shut all spaza shops, have them register afresh and permanently close those without proper documentation. Owners should be deported if they are not properly documented. 

He said the ANC was saddened by the developments that have affected so many children.

“These tragedies underscore a growing concern over the health, safety and hygiene in shops and food outlets across our communities and highlight the urgent need for regulatory improvements, “said Mbalula.

“To this extent, as the ANC we call on our government to lead the regulation of the spaza shop environment and ensure that all spaza shops close down and register afresh to ensure that we’ve got the right people serving our communities.”

Mbalula said this should also be used as an opportunity to crack down on illegal immigrants.

“Over and above that, deal with those who are operating illegal spaza shops and those who are illegal in terms of immigration laws,” he said.

“Spaza shops have long played a central role in our local communities. We must stop paying lip service and act.”

At least 12 children have died and many others have been hospitalised in several townships, including Soweto, after eating snacks bought at some local spazas.

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