Gigaba criticised for attending Kathrada funeral

Home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba was criticised on Wednesday for attending the funeral of Ahmed Kathrada – barely a year after lashing out at disgruntled “so-called ANC stalwarts”.

Kathrada was among dozens of veterans and former party leaders‚ including Trevor Manuel and Cheryl Carolus‚ who called on President Jacob Zuma to step down last year.

Gigaba did not mince his words when he described them as “a mixed bag of so-called ANC stalwarts and disillusioned ex-ANC leaders” who were ill disciplined.

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Some observers were scathing on social media on Wednesday‚ when Gigaba appeared at the funeral and prepared to carry Kathrada’s coffin.

Palesa Morudu‏ tweeted‚ “Malusi Gigaba actually called #UncleKathy an 'illdisciplined so-called stalwart'. Things cadres say in the service of the Zupta project.”

Journalist and author Mandy Wiener responded with‚ “And now he is literally carrying his coffin.”

And now he is literally carrying his coffin. https://t.co/9rQqITmN16

— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) March 29, 2017

Gigaba hit back at Morudu in a tweet – during the funeral service – saying: “I have never referred to Uncle Kathy in that manner as you insinuate. For you to use this during this time‚ it’s too low.”

1) I have never referred to Uncle Kathy in that manner as you insinuate. 2) for you to use this during this time, it's too low. https://t.co/eeiOlk9UFD

— Malusi Gigaba (@mgigaba) March 29, 2017

He added‚ “I was on election campaign with Oom Kathy last year way after April & our relationship was good till his time of passing.”

@palesa_morudu 3) I was on election campaign with OomKathy last year way after April & our relationship was good till his time of passing. pic.twitter.com/o53hSQcHtx

— Malusi Gigaba (@mgigaba) March 29, 2017

Max Gebhardt‏ was among those who were surprised that Gigaba was at the funeral.

“Gigaba has no shame. Goes to #KathradaFuneral after calling him last year a so-called stalwart”

Gigaba has no shame. Goes to #KathradaFuneral after calling him last year a so-called stalwart

— Max Gebhardt (@maxgeb) March 29, 2017

• Kathrada was incorruptible‚ says MantasheANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe on Wednesday painted Ahmed Kathrada as a model leader who had integrity. 

For those who had forgotten what the minister had said about the veterans‚ MaxDaVinci‏ tweeted a link to a televised recording of his scathing comments.

@palesa_morudu@MTshwete@Almostconvinced@carthue@Enghumbhini here is a link to that https://t.co/PzlJ4Ff76N

— MaxDaVinci (@Max_DaVinci) March 29, 2017

Auris pulled no punches with his observation at the funeral: “What's that dimwit Gigaba doing there after he called #AhmedKathrada ill-disciplined and more.”

What's that dimwit Gigaba doing there after he called #AhmedKathrada illdisciplined and more https://t.co/KKPxQq4r1Y

— Auris (@auris123) March 29, 2017

• 'Phantsi‚ Zuma!' mourners cry at Kathrada's funeralThe funeral of ANC veteran Ahmed Kathrada turned into a rallying cry against President Jacob Zuma’s rule‚ with many senior leaders speaking out against patronage and poor leadership.