Max du Preez needs no introduction and neither does our president so should we just dive straight into this one?

In light of Jacob’s recent statements that the ANC’s well-being comes before the well-being of the country (HERE) Max took aim and, as usual, didn’t hold back. Here’s the start of that column on News24:

On Sunday the emperor whipped off the G-string that covered the last of his shame.

And there Jacob Geleyihlekisa Zuma stands in all his naked glory: many of us suspected it, but now we know for sure that he doesn’t see himself as your and my president in the first place, but as the boss of the ANC…

With that Zuma also implied that if he had to choose between our Constitution and the interests of his party, the Constitution would come second. And there we were, thinking all the time he simply didn’t understand what a constitutional democracy meant.

But Max was really just getting started, saving his harshest criticism for what he believes is Zuma’s strong-handed tactics against anyone who dares voice discontent from within the ANC.

Take for example ANC stalwart Kgalema Motlanthe, the man who warmed up the presidential seat for JZ in the months leading up to his election. Motlanthe went public with his concern for the party he loves and was met with this vicious rebuke from Zuma:

“Don’t provoke us too far. Don’t,” he warned. “No one is bigger than the ANC. They are cowards. Just an unnecessary irritation. And we may not tolerate this for too long.”

At first Luthuli House, ANC headquarters, showed a degree of respect for Motlanthe and issued this statement:

The ANC wants to affirm Comrade Kgalema Motlanthe as a leader and voice of reason who has always been on the forefront of raising pertinent and thought-provoking questions within the structures of the ANC. He remains a critical opinion maker on how we as the ANC should confront internal challenges on matters that, if unattended, could materialise as future problems. The ANC embraces his forthrightness and willingness to provide leadership beyond formal structures of the organisation.

But then, in an about turn that du Preez credits to Zuma exerting personal pressure on ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, the party’s stance did a dramatic 180 and they publicly slated the former president. Du Preez finished as follows:

There can be only one explanation for the radical change of mind within three days: Number One used the sjambok. There was no way that Mantashe didn’t approve that first statement.

Zuma’s new belligerence can mean that he will silence all dissenting voices, neutralise his opponents and ruthlessly govern until 2019.

Perhaps we should acknowledge that the last few days this site has been filled with some particularly harsh criticisms of Zuma. R4 billion jets (HERE), grossly inflated earnings when compared with our average citizens (HERE), it’s just that he makes it so easy.

What’s more, with each passing week he seems to revel safe in the knowledge that he has long since stopped being held accountable for his actions. When was the last time he was properly hauled over the coals for something in a way that actually dented either his power or bank account?

I’m sure Max would rather write about great governance but it may well be a while before that’s a luxury afforded to us.

[source:news24]