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THE response of ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe to the leaking of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on Nkandla, as well as the faction fighting within trade union federation Cosatu, underscore how deep within the liberation movement’s bold posturing lies the terror of facing the next general polls as a weakened party.
Mantashe this week accused Madonsela of leaking her provisional report on Nkandla, saying he was worried about the frequency with which provisional reports of this kind were slipping through the net.
Last Friday, the influential Mail & Guardian newspaper ran a story which detailed sections of the provisional report. These called for President Jacob Zuma to pay back state funds used in the construction of his Nkandla home, and accused him of being economic with the truth towards parliament.
On Tuesday this week, speaking at a press briefing, Mantashe called for the final report on Nkandla to be made public sooner rather than later. He said this should happen before the 2014 polls.
Mantashe said if Madonsela were to publish the report just before the elections, it would reveal her political objectives because it would then become "a political factor and (weigh) into elections".
He did not want to state that if the report came shortly before the elections, it would have a negative impact on the ANC’s showing in the general elections.
ANC deputy secretary general Jesse Duarte said Madonsela herself was liable for leaking the report. Duarte accused Madonsela of "enticing debate" about issues she was investigating, saying she "seemed a bit comfortable" with the fact that the report was leaked.
Looking at the positions that Madonsela has been appointed to since 1994 – including deputy director in the national department of justice – there is no doubt that at some point she was the darling of the ruling party.
However, there is no doubt that there is currently no love lost between Madonsela and the ANC.
Naturally, Madonsela has been disgusted by some of the things she has uncovered in her investigations of high-ranking officials of the ANC. This has strengthened her resolve to clean the house.
But the ANC does not care whether she is doing her job to the best of her ability. They are just worried about how her disclosures are going to affect the party of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and many leaders of distinction, particularly in the next elections.
Never before has the ANC faced the general elections so concerned about how they are going to perform.
About two weeks ago, Mantashe said pursuing suspended Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi will not be worthwhile if it divides the federation right through the middle.
His comments were, no doubt, prompted by ANC interests. A divided Cosatu is not good for the ANC at the polls. In all the past elections, the ANC has heavily relied and gained from Cosatu;s support.
If trade union Numsa breaks away from Cosatu as it has threatened, the ANC may win the elections but not with a great margin like in the past.
That will be the beginning of the end of ANC as the most-supported party in South Africa, and the chickens will then be coming home to roost.
- FIn24
*Mzwandile Jacks is a freelance journalist. Opinions expressed are his own.
Mantashe this week accused Madonsela of leaking her provisional report on Nkandla, saying he was worried about the frequency with which provisional reports of this kind were slipping through the net.
Last Friday, the influential Mail & Guardian newspaper ran a story which detailed sections of the provisional report. These called for President Jacob Zuma to pay back state funds used in the construction of his Nkandla home, and accused him of being economic with the truth towards parliament.
On Tuesday this week, speaking at a press briefing, Mantashe called for the final report on Nkandla to be made public sooner rather than later. He said this should happen before the 2014 polls.
Mantashe said if Madonsela were to publish the report just before the elections, it would reveal her political objectives because it would then become "a political factor and (weigh) into elections".
He did not want to state that if the report came shortly before the elections, it would have a negative impact on the ANC’s showing in the general elections.
ANC deputy secretary general Jesse Duarte said Madonsela herself was liable for leaking the report. Duarte accused Madonsela of "enticing debate" about issues she was investigating, saying she "seemed a bit comfortable" with the fact that the report was leaked.
Looking at the positions that Madonsela has been appointed to since 1994 – including deputy director in the national department of justice – there is no doubt that at some point she was the darling of the ruling party.
However, there is no doubt that there is currently no love lost between Madonsela and the ANC.
Naturally, Madonsela has been disgusted by some of the things she has uncovered in her investigations of high-ranking officials of the ANC. This has strengthened her resolve to clean the house.
But the ANC does not care whether she is doing her job to the best of her ability. They are just worried about how her disclosures are going to affect the party of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and many leaders of distinction, particularly in the next elections.
Never before has the ANC faced the general elections so concerned about how they are going to perform.
About two weeks ago, Mantashe said pursuing suspended Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi will not be worthwhile if it divides the federation right through the middle.
His comments were, no doubt, prompted by ANC interests. A divided Cosatu is not good for the ANC at the polls. In all the past elections, the ANC has heavily relied and gained from Cosatu;s support.
If trade union Numsa breaks away from Cosatu as it has threatened, the ANC may win the elections but not with a great margin like in the past.
That will be the beginning of the end of ANC as the most-supported party in South Africa, and the chickens will then be coming home to roost.
- FIn24
*Mzwandile Jacks is a freelance journalist. Opinions expressed are his own.
