ANC must take action against Zupta

Leading as a collective is without doubt one of the best forms of leadership styles. But it has its flaws. Facing a reputational disaster of great magnitude, the ANC, due to its traditional “collective leadership” approach, has chosen to once again strenuously defend something that is clearly indefensible.
The Constitutional Court ruling made it abundantly clear that President Jacob Zuma, in the Nkandla matter, did not uphold the provisions of the Constitution. And parliament was found complicit. The ANC has, since the Nkandla scandal came to light, been vigorously defending President Zuma.
With the municipal elections looming, the ANC is facing some tough choices. The party is well aware that it is fast losing credibility amongst the voters, especially the upwardly mobile urban black voters. And many within ANC structures are not happy with the current state of affairs, but their voices are being ruthlessly suppressed.
The DA’s premature motion to debate the impeachment of the president has, regrettably, provided the ANC with a yet another narrow escape route, as the ANC would never allow the party to be dictated to by a party closely associated with apartheid. With this in mind, it would make more sense for the DA, a thoroughly discredited party, to stop meddling, or least to learn to employ subtle but more effective strategies when exercising its prerogative as the main opposition, instead of rushing into slapdash reaction, thus giving ANC ammunition to keep defending the indefensible.
President Zuma has got to step down, or to be recalled. But this requires pressure from within ANC, not outside interference. But then again, it is unforgivable for the ANC’s collective leadership to risk losing votes, all in the name of resisting opposition pressure.
In the long run, the ANC has a duty to maintain its credibility, and to retain its support amongst black voters. This can only be achieved through willingness to take serious action against Zupta, the one man who has inflicted so much damage to the once glorious liberation movement. But the ANC also has a duty to demonstrate to its supporters that it does not yield to pressure from political parties that still reek of apartheid residue. It’s a fine balancing act. But the ANC is probably the only party that can pull it off.
MUSA MNYANDU
KwaDukuza
Letter shortened – Editor