Sisulu descendants and other children of ANC exiles speak out against Zuma‚ want new party elections

08 April 2016 - 11:33 By Sam Mkokeli

“Children of exiles” have thrown their weight behind calls for action against President Jacob Zuma‚ for embarrassing the ruling party and flouting the country’s supreme law.This is contained in a letter signed by about 40 former members of “Masupatsela” or “young pioneers” — those who were born or raised in exile — sent to African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe on Wednesday‚ Business Day reported on Friday.They called for a special conference where new party elections would be held‚ arguing that Zuma showed no remorse and had flouted the ANC’s disciplinary code.“We are extremely unsettled by his disingenuous and contradictory assertion that he had always been willing to pay for the nonsecurity features at Nkandla‚” reads their memorandum. This move comes as pressure is intensifying for the ANC to take action against Zuma for flouting the Constitution in relation to the Nkandla scandal.The signatories include descendants of ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu: Vuyisile‚ Ayanda and Shaka Sisulu.The group strongly states that Zuma’s apology last Friday night was not sufficient and warns of the consequences for the liberation movement should nothing be done‚ including loss of moral standing in the eyes of the public.“The press conference that was held by our President after the judgment was handed down was also deeply unsettling as he extended no apology for the abuse of public funds for his personal benefit.They also criticised the party’s top structures for the manner in which they have defended Zuma.“We are particularly perturbed by the developments within our movement‚ which appear to demonstrate a conflation of loyalty to our revolutionary cause with loyalty to individuals — at the expense of the integrity and moral standing of our movement. “The President acted illegally in failing to uphold‚ defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and demonstrated scant regard for the remedial action taken against him by the public protector in terms of her constitutional powers.”The signatories are:• Natalya Dinat• Lindiwe Gadd• Maxine Hlaba• Rebecca Kambule• Andrew Kasrils• Segomotso Lecholo• Patience Luxumo• Thembani Mabandla• Kedi Mahlatji• Zandile Matchaba• Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo• Lesedi Moche• Thandi Modise• Fidel Modise• Sam Mogaki• Themba Ngalo Mogale• Sechaba Mogale• Mpho Molefe• Nikita Montana• Boitumelo Moroka• Thembi Msibi• Mandla Msimang• Themba Msimang• Sisonke Msimang• Nonhlanhla Msimang• Lawson Naidoo• Nadine Nannan• Thandiwe Njobe• Ndlela Nkobi• Milton Opiote• Amina Pahad• Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo• Gosekwang Serache• Connie Setimo• Vuyisile Sisulu• Ayanda Sisulu• Shaka Sisulu• Vuyo Skweyiya• Zukisa Tshabalala• Pulane Tshabalala-Kingston• Mangaliso Williams• Zwelethu Shabangu- TMG Digital/BDlive..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.