JOHANNESBURG - Addressing the media in Germiston, Ekurhuleni MKMVA secretary Bafana Mahlale said the regions supported the development at Zuma’s presidential home.

“It was a normal thing for a president to do, and those who are questioning the development are making unnecessary noise about it.

The roads that are being developed are going to benefit the community.

“A similar thing happened in Qunu when Nelson Mandela was  president. This is part of the infrastractural development programme.

This is a well-orchestrated plan to attack the personality of President Jacob Zuma,” Mahlale said.

MKMVA’s Gauteng branches also threw its support firmly behind Zuma for a second term.

This was despite pronouncements by the Gauteng provincial executive committee (PEC) that it would remain neutral.

Mahlale said: “In our engagement from branches, regional executive committee  meetings, regional general councils and interaction with other MKMVA regions within Gauteng we have unanimously agreed that we are fully behind comrade President Jacob Zuma and the collective towards a second term in Mangaung.

We want Zuma to be retained because of the track he has done for the ANC.

“Our approach is that of unity, continuity and change, which we believe is the most scientific and balanced to ensure a stable ANC.”

Mahlale described Zuma as a tried and tested leader. “Under the leadership of 

Zuma the ANC has achieved some of the Polokwane resolutions. This is a man who is accessible to every grouping in the country.”

The MKMVA distanced itself from the pronouncement by the
MKMVA’s provincial executive committee   at the Gauteng  ANC’s provincial general council on Sunday about being  “neutral active”.

“This is a very strange concept and it’s not mandated by us as regions and therefore it’s not an official position of the MKMVA in Gauteng.

As former combatants of Umkhonto we Sizwe we were the nucleus and an integral part of the ANC and can never and will never be neutral in the life of the ANC,” Mahlale said.

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Gauteng MK Vets back Zuma

– ngwakom@citizen.co.za