Letter: Zuma alone cannot be blamed for everything wrong

South Africa and ANC do not need the SANDF to engage in a “silent and bloodless coup” to end misrule by President Jacob Zuma (known as Pedro in the SACP before unbanning).

People must not blindly think that Emmerson Mnangagwa and Cyril Ramaphosa are messiahs or holy cows.

They tolerated presidents Mugabe and Zuma to keep their jobs and wealth, only to be vocal because these presidents thought leadership is sexually transmitted.

The SANDF is pluralistic and, unlike in Zimbabwe where its chief commander signs allegiance to the president, ours pay allegiance to the constitution. Since 2009, we have also blocked attempts by President Zuma to violate the constitution and erode the principles of democracy as enshrined in the Freedom Charter and constitution.

Thanks to freedom fighters like Ronnie Kasrils, Sandi Sejake, Pallo Jordan, judges Pius Langa and Zac Yacoob, the nation rejected the Secrecy Bill, otherwise people like Vytjie Mentor, Themba Maseko, Ngoako Ramathlodi, Barbara Hogan, Pravin Gordhan, Mcebisi Jonas, Jacques Pauw, the SABC 8 and those testifying in SABC and SOE’s parliamentary probes would be in jail had this bill became law.

The nation must be reminded that Blade Nzimande, Siyabonga Cwele and Dennis Dhlomo pushed for this bill.

President Mnangagwa’s membership of ZANU PF and his role in ZIPRA is not a sin. Definitely, his role in butchering Ndebeles will not be investigated as per the wish of the West. He will not tell the truth that involvement of his family, army generals and ZANU leadership led to the Zimbabwean army’s central role in conflicts in DRC and Rwanda. At his inauguration he praised Mugabe’s role in the struggle but said nothing about Joshua Nkomo who was humiliated by Mugabe.

Similarly, Ramaphosa will not apologise to Marikana widows and orphans.

He is still waiting for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to take him to Marikana. He has not told the truth that 23 SANDF members who died in the Central African Republic went there to defend the interests of “imperial forces” within the ANC.

Zuma alone cannot be blamed for the “junk status”, corruption and all ills. President Mugabe cannot be blamed for all mistakes that has led to Zimbabwe economic crisis. President Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa were there but were scared to raise objections. President Mnangagwa did not protect foreign investments and Joice Mujuru, President Zuma and Dr Zuma did not protect Gordhan from Edward Zuma. Both knew that Guptas were taking millions out of our country.

We applaud this first step by President Mnangagwa. We are on our knees calling on the Almighty to assist ANC branches in removing the Zuma-Guptas-Putin tripartite alliance in December but we must be vigilant because as Prof PL Lumumba said “in Africa, the shortest route to ill-gotten wealth is political leadership.”

Seeing the children of President Zuma becoming millionaires with seven years and Patrick Mnangagwa displaying his bling car and cash worries me.

SIYANDA MHLONGO

KwaDukuza