Cape Town – Police Minister Bheki Cele has urged supporters of the African National Congress (ANC) to let go of the idea of former president Jacob Zuma, who recently announced he would vote against the “ANC of Ramaphosa” and support the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe party.
Speaking at an ANC lecture hosted by the African National Congress in eThekwini at the weekend., Cele referred to it as the “funeral of Zuma” and challenged Zuma to reveal any secrets he has been threatening to disclose, IOL reported.
“He has been in the Top 6 since 1991. Now when it’s time for others to lead it can’t happen.
“No one is a leader by right, you are a leader because people elect you, nobody owns the ANC.
“This ANC is owned by thousands of people, alive and dead. Comrades, let him go, bury him,” the report quoted Cele as saying.
According to The Citizen, the minister said that no individual, regardless of their standing within the party, should believe they are “above the ANC or more beloved than the ANC”.
He said that nobody possessed ownership of the organisation.
“Nobody owns this organisation,” he said.
Cele took a jab at Zuma, characterising his self-perception as the “Samson” of the ANC.
He urged ANC supporters to protect the party and not individuals, emphasising the need to “let him go”.
ANC leaders, including Cele, have criticised Zuma for trying to divide the party.
The ANC has said that it will formally deal with Zuma after the elections.
Cele also revealed details of a meeting he had with Zuma in 2021, expressing concerns about Zuma’s actions potentially leading to violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Democratic Alliance contended at the time that it was extremely irregular and unprecedented for a police minister to engage in “tea parties” with an individual who should be incarcerated for contempt of court.
The DA calls on Bheki Cele to clarify in which capacity he met with Jacob Zuma.
It’s highly irregular and unprecedented for a Police Minister to have ‘tea parties’ with someone who should be locked up for being in contempt of court. – @Natasha9Mazzone https://t.co/cuVVWAmiiz
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 19, 2021
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
