A new inquest is also needed into Chief Albert Luthuli’s death

Chief Albert Luthuli’s family needs our support in their call for the state to re-open an inquest like that of Ahmed Timol.

We salute Timol, Looksmart Ngudle, Caleb Mayekiso, Babla Salojee, Steve Biko, Mapetla Mohapi, Joseph Mdluli, Lawrence Ndzanga up to Stanza Bopape.

All these freedom fighters did not commit suicide but were murdered.

We must say that not only Africans, Coloureds like Ashley Kriel, Dulcie September, Robbie Waterwitch, Basil February, Coline Williams and South African Indians like the three I have mentioned, also White South Africans like John Harris, Rick Turner, David Webster, Anton Lubowski, Ruth First, Jenny Schoon and her daughter Karyn bombed in Angola, shed their blood to see the dawn of a new South Africa.

We remember Chief Luthuli of the AmaKholwa tribe not only as a democrat and freedom fighter but also as a Christian and moralist.

Today, if a non-African speaks against state capture, s/he is branded an imperialist.

Corrupt leaders must now be banned from speaking at functions in honour of Chief Luthuli and Oliver Tambo. The family of Makhenkesi Stofile and Ahmed Kathrada did tell President Zuma that he could attend but not speak.

That is why the government sabotaged Kathrada’s memorial service and the ANCYL disrupted another one in Durban.

Some in KwaDukuza are mouthpieces of the Guptas and Bell Pottinger, decrying white monopoly capital but are silent about Gupta monopoly capital. We thank Dr Albertinah Luthuli for standing firmly against immoral and unethical leadership. Since 1994, she refused to be a thief because our Chief was not a thief.

When we say “Long Live Chief Luthuli”, we mean that his values must determine our conduct in public management and advocacy.

What type of Christians and ANC members steal to live opulently, drive expensive cars and dine in expensive restaurants when our people and other Christians live in poverty?

It’s a pity that great religious and political thieves are telling us to emulate the Chief, Nelson Mandela and others, but they disrespect the poor by stealing their money.

Let me congratulate media which exposed Bell Pottinger and bravo to Thabo Mbeki, Joel Netshitenzhe and Mcebisi Jonas for unpacking Bell Pottinger’s term “White Monopoly Capital”. It is extremely stupid to claim your enemy is “White Monopoly Capital” but you also want the same people to invest and create jobs in your own country.

White, Coloureds and Indians have a right to speak against state capture. It was our Chief and ANC President-General who transformed ANC race policy from “multi-racialism to non-racialism”. He equally respected Alan Paton and Moses Kotane who differed ideologically.

It was our Chief’s colleague and friend, Prof ZK Matthews who called for the conference that adopted the Freedom Charter in 1955. Today, the race card is used against non-Africans who stand against state capture.

Christians believe that one day the dead will be resurrected. I am sure our Chief will be proud that her daughter is among those who want to save his movement from thieves. But simultaneously, he will be shocked about state capture. He will also be shocked that his reputation and good name, like that of Tambo, are abused to hide state capture.

The Chief said “I am in the Congress because I am a Christian”. To our Chief, service to the people and God do not require exorbitant salaries, posh cars and bling lifestyles. Genuine Christians and politicians live lives similar to that of our Chief. Today, fake pastors and politicians are concerned about salaries, cars they drive and houses they must buy at the expense of coffers of the church and state purse.

SIYANDA MHLONGO, KwaDukuza

Letter shortened – Editor.