We may never know just how close we came to seeing a mutiny by Jacob Zuma-loyal soldiers on the eve of the former president’s resignation, but a collective sigh of relief is in order.

According to “highly placed sources within the security forces and ANC leadership”, who spoke to City Press, there was serious talk of a revolt amongst soldiers who had been members of the ANC’s Umkhonto weSizwe.

In other words, a coup. More from that report:

SA National Defence Force (SANDF) insiders said ANC elements who wanted to advance their factional interests were trying to use the military as a proxy in their political battles, but it would not succeed.

“The idea is that if you weaken the security forces and especially the army, you have weakened government,” said another.

Fringe groups such as the MK Inkululeko Foundation, which was one of Zuma’s fiercest defenders, had launched a “Hands off Zuma” campaign, and spoke of a civil war if Zuma was not allowed to complete his term and remain in office until next year’s general election.

Zuma also enjoyed significant support in the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association, which comprises the ANC’s former liberation soldiers.

According to pro-Zuma sources, the then-president was the real hero, stepping down to send a message to the army that a revolt was not necessary.

However, there’s some disagreement on that front:

An ANC MP said they had “heard that Zuma was planning to declare a state of emergency, and cordon off the parliamentary precinct and arrest MPs on the day he gave an exclusive interview to the SABC”.

“Apparently, this plan was foiled when the generals below the army chief indicated their loyalty to the Constitution,” the MP said.

But the army brass said the state of emergency claims were “a lie”.

Zuma sympathisers said his statement that “some people may fight” during his interview hours before he stepped down was based on “nothing but the fact that he enjoyed a lot of grass roots support”, and that he wanted to travel the country with Ramaphosa to forge ANC unity.

According to the Ramaphosa camp, the Constitution came in handy:

Ramaphosa allies confirmed the military threat, but added that generals loyal to Zuma tried to push the agenda, but were defied by the rank and file.

“Our Constitution saved us from that crisis,” said a Luthuli House insider. “The military, almost all generals, did not support the recall. When Zuma rose to power, he changed the entire army hierarchy and placed many loyal soldiers in it.”

A senior member of the ANC alliance said that, aside from a military revolt, they also learnt that Zuma intended to fire Ramaphosa as deputy president in a snap Cabinet reshuffle as part of his fight-back plan. The alliance insider confirmed meetings with army officials, adding that the State Security Agency was also lobbied to revolt, but all plots were foiled.

In the end, I’m not sure I agree with anyone who says that Zuma stepped down in order to avoid plunging the country into further turmoil.

If his tenure has taught us anything, it’s that his interests, and the interests of those he actually served, always trumped the interests of the people he was elected to govern.

You can read the full report on those final few days here.

[source:citypress]