‘Keep my father’s name out your mouth’: Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla takes aim at Zweli Mkhize

22 July 2022 - 10:00
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla took aim at former health minister Zweli Mkhize. File photo.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla took aim at former health minister Zweli Mkhize. File photo.
Image: Thapelo Morebudi/Sunday Times

Former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has lashed out at Zweli Mkhize, saying the former health minister and others should keep her father’s name out of their mouths. 

This comes after the presidential hopeful decried the treatment of Zuma and said the July 2021 unrest occurred because his arrest was handled badly by ANC leaders.

Mkhize was addressing a local ANC structure on his presidential campaign trail in KwaNyuswa, Durban. 

“The country needs to know the pain we felt because of the abuse of Msholozi. We all need to understand the sensitivities involved in the matter of Zuma. They cut very deep to the people of KwaZulu-Natal. That is what caused the outrage,” he said. 

Responding to Mkhize’s comments, Zuma-Sambudla seemed to suggest he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. 

“Cdes (comrades) must not come and irritate us. Conference season doesn’t mean we have amnesia,” she said. 

“We see you and we know who you are. Keep my father’s name out your MF mouths if you are trying to get nominated for positions.”

Mkhize is said to be one of the candidates running in the ANC’s 2022 presidential race. Others include deputy president David Mabuza, suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule, treasurer-general Paul Mashatile, tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu and former treasurer-general Mathews Phosa. 

This will be Sisulu’s second attempt at the presidency.

In 2017 she contested the position alongside co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, but lost to Ramaphosa. 

Earlier this year mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe dismissed claims about running for deputy president of the ANC and SA, saying he is too old for the job. 

He told City Press the position requires someone who is “younger and more energetic”, and said he would not take it for the sake of taking it.

“Anybody will know I do not want to be the deputy president. I think the deputy president must be a younger and more energetic person who is also considered for succession. I am old,” said Mantashe.

“When the president retires, I will retire as well. Why should I chase a position for the sake of a position?”

Justice and correctional services minister Ronald Lamola told TimesLIVE the ANC needed younger leaders in the top six. 

“The reality is there must be a generational mix in the top six. There must be new blood and an infusion of various generations, not only to enable us to renew the ANC, in terms of ideas, but leadership itself.”

Lamola said he would leave his current position should branches call for him to run for ANC deputy presidency.

“The ANC is a party of processes, and we have to respect processes that branches are going to embark on to lead that process,” he said. 

“We do not have a history of disrespecting the call by structures. We must allow that process to be led by the structures.”

Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.