Unite the party, bury the hatchet

The Umkhonto we Sizwe Veterans’ Association and the African National Congress Youth League have warned South Africans of the consequences of the continued “persecution” — as opposed to prosecution — of ANC president Jacob Zuma in terms of what they deem to be a political conspiracy.

ANCYL president Julius Malema and MKVA chairperson Kebby Maphatsoe allege that the case against JZ is a political issue masquerading as a criminal trial.

I have no problem with them interpreting the facts of the JZ prosecution as they see fit.

I do, however, have a problem with their failure to come out and say what they really mean — that they believe that the faction opposing Zuma within their own party is responsible for this conspiracy.

In that confirmation we can at least understand the nature of the problem and call upon those being singled out to deal with it.

In his latest outburst, Malema accuses the president of being a troublemaker and a coward. At least here the ANC and the government can deal with this continuing indiscipline as opposed to it being foisted on the country as a whole. Generally, however, it is a case of threats against “counter-revolutionaries” and other loosely defined parties.

The alternative is to suggest that opposition parties, who, in terms of the current vote can never be considered a threat to JZ or the ANC for that matter, are responsible for the “conspiracy” against the ANC president.

In terms of the opposition parties, is it being suggested that by calling for Zuma to be replaced by another ANC member as the presidential candidate that they would somehow benefit thereby? If so, kindly tell us which other ANC member the opposition is backing for president and how that would assist them? Other than that their only interest appears to be in supporting the independence of the criminal justice system and condemning any party or government interference.

At this point the only allegations concerned with a conspiracy are those surrounding the government’s use of state organs for matters relating to an internal ANC conflict.

In respect of the organs of state themselves, is it being seriously suggested that the courageous members of these bodies would want to be involved in a party fall-out that may threaten their lives, those of their families and their jobs? The only parties from these organisations who have been connected with the spat, are those who appear to owe allegiance to one of the two factions of the ANC. Go through the names involved in the current trials, inquiries and other investigations, and they can be linked to one party and in each case a particular faction.

Accordingly, I would like to know why the country has to be repeatedly threatened because the ruling party is split and at war with itself? If the party can’t find or are unwilling to seek a political solution to their impasse, then threatening the people of this country is not only dangerous, it is counterproductive.

The biggest victims of any violence are going to be the masses of this country when they clash with the police and military and when continued political uncertainty makes delivery to them even more difficult than it already is.

Why should they have to endure further hardship as a result of the ANC being unable to heal its split?

Listen to the words of Madiba on Saturday and stop putting yourselves above the party and the ideals that your comrades fought and died for.

Unite the party and bury the militancy once and for all.

We are not impressed by it.