NATIONAL NEWS: Premier says public will help pay for Nkandla
The public might have to pay for Nkandla expenses.
A number of civic organisations, ANC stalwarts, and even the party’s executive in Gauteng, may have been vocal in publicly suggesting that president Mr Jacob Zuma step down following the Constitutional Court ruling last week, but he can rest assured that Mpumalanga continues to back him all the way.
Premier and ANC provincial chairman Mr David Mabuza went as far as to suggest that they would help Zuma pay back the money, following a brief and concise meeting of the party’s branches and structures at Ehlanzeni District Municipality’s council chambers on Tuesday.
“He must pay. He is also the president of the ANC. If he can’t pay, probably, he can request members of the ANC to help him pay,” Mabuza said to applause.
“We are not defending that there is nothing wrong that has been done. All of us in our different corners probably had different interpretations (about how binding the remedial actions by the Public Protector were),” he said.
“The ANC is a collective and will always be guided and act as a collective. We will support (Zuma) until the end of his term. The Secretary-General’s (Mr Gwede Mantashe) statement represents our view on the ground. The regions and branches agree.
“Branches are led by this leadership and (we) will at all times provide leadership. We are not dictating but executing our duties as leaders.
“We welcome the apology and the SG’s statement on how to understand the judgement. We are not intimidated by those opposing us.
“The clarity provided… puts the matter to rest and closes the case.”
The party’s youth league on Monday also announced its supported for Zuma, following an extended meeting between its provincial executive, regions and sub-regions. It came out against “dark forces” fighting against the party and those harbouring “ambitions of regime change”.
- Read more: Youth league in Mpumalanga stands by Zuma
Ancyl deputy secretary Vusi Mkhatshwa said it was problematic when the media was negatively biased against the movement, focussing only on some aspects of the Constitutional Court judgement. “We believe that the spirit of the outcome was not that the president be impeached,” he said.
The executive agreed that members of the alliance as well as the children of former leaders should raise their issues with the NEC, not in the media.
“Those Mickey Mouse parties continue making noise like dogs out there, they don’t even know how to govern,” said chairman Mr Desmond Moela.
The Ancyl intends to meet each and every young person as it embarks on its election campaign, and as the journey continues.
For more visit: Lowvelder
