Did Dlamini-Zuma dismiss countrywide anti-Zuma marches as 'this rubbish'?
Former African Union chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s Twitter feed raised eyebrows after a post appeared dismissing Friday’s anti-Zuma marches as “this rubbish”.
It is unclear if Dlamini-Zuma personally posted the message‚ but it was quickly deleted soon after attracting attention.
Dlamini-Zuma‚ a former minister of health‚ home affairs and foreign affairs‚ is viewed by many as a potential successor to President Jacob Zuma – to whom she was once married.
WATCH: Maimane declares 'We have junk president' DA leader Mmusi Maimane has declared that president Jacob Zuma was a junk president.
Simon Allison‚ Africa Correspondent for Daily Maverick‚ captured the controversial tweet in a screen-grab on Friday afternoon.
“Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) just deleted a tweet in which she dismissed #AntiZumaMarches as "this rubbish‚” he tweeted.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) just deleted a tweet in which she dismissed #AntiZumaMarches as "this rubbish". pic.twitter.com/iW88j6qw70
— Simon Allison (@simonallison) April 7, 2017
The tweet thread can be traced back to an online discussion about how well funded Save SA – which played a key role in Friday’s protest marches around the country – was funded.
ANN7 reporter attacked at anti-Zuma march A journalist for Gupta-owned television news channel African News Network 7 had water poured over her by anti-Zuma marchers wearing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) T-shirts at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Katlego (@TheGalWithAFro) remarked that it‚ “actually blows my mind how many resources their privilege affords them. They really struggle different.”
It actually blows my mind how many resources their privilege affords them. They really struggle different https://t.co/i7ikpHNgIX
— Katlego (@TheGalWithAFro) April 7, 2017
Posted in response to this‚ on Dlamini-Zuma’s Twitter feed‚ was: “… this is what they protecting … hence some of us not part of this rubbish … they must join us for the march …”.
Black First Land First disrupt peaceful anti-Zuma march at Gupta compound What started as a peaceful protest on Friday outside the Gupta family compound in Saxonwold‚ Johannesburg‚ by “Black Friday” demonstrators degenerated into fisticuffs when Black First Land First members arrived.
A link in the thread of that conversation has disappeared along with the tweet.
The latest tweet now available on @DlaminiZuma says: “Youth of today live in a free South Africa‚ which imposes its own challenges and responsibilities #SolomonMahlangu #SolomonMahlanguDay.”
There is no immediate indication that the account was hacked.