Jacob Zuma’s intended political comeback is ‘the biggest joke of the year’, says Gwede Mantashe

Jacob Zuma

Cape Town – South African Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has described former president Jacob Zuma’s intention to run for national chair of the African National Congress (ANC) as “the biggest joke of the year”.

Zuma, who is facing corruption charges and served a short stint in jail, indicated this week that he was ready for a political comeback with the ruling party.

In a statement late on Monday, Zuma, 80, said he had been asked by members of the ANC, which has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid, to put himself forward as the party gearerd up to elect a new leadership.

“I will not refuse such a call should they deem it necessary for me to serve the organisation again,” he said, adding he has been consulting with party leaders “in spite of the difficulties caused by my current legal situation”.

The move came amid heavy infighting within the ANC, ahead of a national elective conference in December.

But Gwede rubbished Zuma’s intentions as a “joke”.

“Look. President Zuma was my President for 10 years. I was his secretary for 10 years. I take that as the biggest joke of the year. If JZ (Jacob Zuma) at 81 (years old) wants to contest chairperson of the ANC, I take it as a joke,” said Mantashe who was the current ANC national chairperson.

Mantashe, was himself, aiming for a second term.

The party was set to hold internal polls to pick a new leader, who would then become the candidate for the next presidential election in 2024.

Current President Cyril Ramaphosa was hoping to secure a second term but faced a challenge from a faction loyal to Zuma – a divisive figure whose name resonated with graft for most South Africans but remained a hero to many grassroots ANC members.

 

Zuma said he supported his ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to replace Ramaphosa and hinted he would be prepared to serve as party chairperson, another key role.

Support for the party of Nelson Mandela dropped below 50% for the first time in local elections last year, and the government was facing growing discontent over widespread poverty, unemployment, and a prolonged power crisis.

Zuma became president in 2009 but was forced to step down nine years later in favour of Ramaphosa, then vice-president.

In July last year, he was jailed for 15 months for contempt of court after refusing to testify before a graft inquiry, but was released on medical parole just two months into the term.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

Additional reporting by AFP

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