

South Africa: Minster of Finance’s Position on SACC Report and ANN7 News Report (30.05.2017)




“On a road in Harare today i met Beula. This 23 year old young lady is tough and full of hope. Zimbabwe has let her down but she’s finding strength everyday to get up and face life. We MUST UNITE and change this nation. Register to vote when the time comes” (Evan Mawarire, 30.05.2017)

Today, the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) or the ANC NEC, as the ‘No Confidence’ Motion tabled to question the rule of President Jacob Zuma. Again, the ‘No Confidence’ vote against him failed. This was expected, since it hasn’t been able to pass in the National Assembly twice. Why should it be possible to do it in-house?
President Zuma is reported to get the total of 18 ANC leaders voting for demise of the Executive. But that wasn’t enough. It was so not enough, as the ANC NEC has enough of loyal cronies who needs Zuma. Therefore, 54 other ANC leaders voted against the Motion. Meaning that the possible stepping down isn’t happening now, as the Party themselves and the key leadership are still supporting President Zuma. Today is the day when the ANC party itself didn’t see what they have become.
The ANC of today isn’t the party who liberated the people and promised development for all South Africans. Now it is the party who are working together with corporate corrupt elite and the growing cronyism around the President. They are not developing the townships, neither creating the industrial and economic development that the Republic deserves.
The President even became like this when the Motion was in discussion:
“I have been quiet because I don’t want to harm the ANC, so continue attacking me in the media and you will see,” News24 reports the president as saying” (…) “News24 reports a source at the NEC saying that this was the angriest they had ever seen the president. The source further said that the president used his closing comments to issue his warning to leaders to stop criticising him in public. Zuma is also reported to have told the meeting that he did not understand the calls for him to step down, as he was not standing for re-election at the party’s December elective conference” (SA Breaking News, 2017).
So that the President is blind or ignorant isn’t easy to see. As he doesn’t want to listen, because he believes that he deserves to rule, even as he has enough counts of corruptions and the State of Capture report. Clearly he must know that current state of Gupta relationship and the Companies they own in cahoots with him is giving economical benefit to both. This is tiring the looting of state reserves for the Zupta. That cannot continue. The ANC is now in a state where they are accepting the looting and the maladministration. This with favors towards the ANC cronies. Therefore the reputation of South Africa is also falling. The one in-charge of that is President Zuma!
Zuma and his administration, which is parts of the ANC NEC who voted for him and letting him. He is man who want it like this and earns his fortune on it. The same is done by his cronies, that is why they don’t wont to let him go. They have all forgotten the charters and the pledges of the past. They are all eating and not caring for the ones who they represent, the workers, the unemployed and the youth. The ANC have forgotten the people and who they represent, they are now only making sure they eat. Peace.
Reference:
SA Breaking News – ‘Zuma tells detractors at NEC not to ‘push him too far’ (29.05.2017) link: http://www.sabreakingnews.co.za/2017/05/29/zuma-tells-detractors-at-nec-not-to-push-him-too-far/

If you we’re ever skeptical of the relationship between the Gupta Families and Companies in South Africa, and the family of President Jacob Zuma. Than the recent revelations hasn’t shocked you. It is the new normal, as the Zuma Administration doesn’t care or has no scruples when coming to looting from the State Reserves. If it is selling bad coal expensively from a Oakbay Resources Company to the State Company Eskom. Similar agreements and giving contracts connected with Gupta owned businesses are showing disregard for governance and more of supplying funds to friendly investors who also hires Zuma’s own kin.
President Zuma is loyal to the Family of Gupta, his cronies works close with these, the State of Capture report told so and showed it by the messages and phone-call logs. This is now an older report. So the release of leaked #GuptaEmails isn’t controversial, but more of the same. The South African Government and African National Congress (ANC) are now again under fire for their connection with Gupta. It has been so for years now.
That President Zuma hasn’t cleared his name, but stalled cases, while the charges and the corruption cases has been deflected at a rate that is insane. While he has been able to get loyal men and woman in charge of important parts of government. The government has made sure the Gupta and Zuma has been defended. The National Assembly has been a saving grace as the ANC have run trust in the representation down to the ground. Therefore, that the vote of no confidence has been overturned twice.
Just like the time of Thuli Madonsela’s report was mulled and silenced, which haven’t had the willing effect. The only worthy of her report is that she has opened the doors with her investigation into the Gupta infested government. Now there isn’t happening anything since Zuma got the friendly adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane who will not do anything to rock the boat. Secondly, she wants to have peace and just made sure there isn’t further investigations into Zuma administration. This can be seen as the silence and also that the Public Protector has no interest in looking into breaches of governance by the current government.
It is damning like the reports was around the first time Finance Minister Nene Nhlanhla was fired in 2015, than a few days with David Van Rooyen and therefore the return of Pravin Gordhan. He was now the minister until March 2017. Than, a new fellow crony who was loyal to Gupta got this important ministry. Therefore, both Nhlanhla and Gordhan was fired, because they we’re both skeptical about certain agreements between the government and the Gupta companies, it was like the South African Airlines (SAA) and other ones. Parts of the sacking of Nhlanhla was because of ExecuJet Aviation, are now in the spotlight because of #GuptaEmails.
With this in mind, the stories are getting more connected, if it is IcelandSave or a private jet company. Just like the Oakbay Investment portfolio company Sahara Computers that made reservation for Matshela Koko is the step-daughter of Eskom director who bagged R1bn during 2016, in 2016 Sahara Computers fixed reservations for a hotel stay in the Oberoi Hotel, also chauffeur to drive her to the place. Therefore, you know that the government and Gupta family are working together.
Even if these emails are fake, the State of Capture and the other suspect agreements between Oakbay Investment and Oakbay Resources are questionable enough. President Zuma are clearly working hard together with the Gupta Brotherhood. Zuma has used the tools of government to earn cash for his family and the foreign investors, instead of working for the South Africans. Certainly, these stories has to end. The Fire-pools and the extensions of Nkandla in general. As the ANC NEC and the ANC Party has forgotten their mission. To care about good governance has gone into the ghost of Christmas past. The ANC under President Zuma has totally changed, but its been a slow march to the total takeover and control. Even as some individuals see themselves as the next in line. They are certainly not secure to overcome Zuma, as he did wise in the way he got rid of Mbeki. The way he got support of Malema and the Unions to take control. Now someone needs to do something similar, as the party as it is now heading in oblivion under Zuma. The trust and the relationship with the public is dying. The disgusting parts of the economic incentives between foreign investors and the President. That is back-channels for his changes of cabinet and also secret dossiers. This is all reasons that the South African people needs someone who will not use the State Reserves for his own gain, but for developing the Republic. Peace.
“It is not illegal to carry the national flag. We must not allow the criminalisation of patriotism” (Evan Mawarire, 20.05.2017).

“Some people talk in their sleep. Lecturers talk while other people sleep” – Albert Camus
President Robert Mugabe really have loyal cadres and a ZANU-PF elite who deny the real fact about their leader. That President are old and weaker now is expected, Robert Mugabe is 93 years old. He has ruled the Republic for decades upon end without any relief or any plans for successor. Someone has said in recent times that he will gain the votes, even when he is dead. Another fellow ZANU-PF did say that he was biblical and his reign was written in bible. So the despotic and belief in the old-man has gone to far. As today’s defense of his sleeping in international conference and when visiting dignitaries abroad. Just read the statement!
“Speaking on Zimpapers’ Capitalk radio Charamba said:
“It has to do with his eyes and often I have felt very, very pained. In fact, I feel like a failure when there is this reading that the President is sleeping in conferences, NO. At 93, there is something that happens to the eyes and the President cannot suffer bright lights. If you look at his poise, he looks down, avoids direct lighting. In the case of Mandela, if you remember, you were not allowed to even use flashes whenever he was in the room. That is what happens at 93 and Mandela, I do not think lived as long as the President did. Let us disabuse ourselves” (Maveriq, 2017).
We all know that President Mugabe doesn’t care about anyone’s opinions, since he has his own ideas, where he defends his records and supposed achievements. Because it now overshadow that falls asleep during Press Conference with Shinzo Abe, at a conference in Kenya reported falling asleep 11 times, at the 60th Independence Parade in Ghana, at the inauguration of President Buhari in Nigeria and latest in South Africa at the World Economic Forum there. So there are many times he has fallen asleep. The old tyrant, who has grabbed power and never let go. He is tired of the international gatherings and public appearances, his aging body cannot cope with it. Even if he is biblical and will get votes after death, he apparently, can fall asleep.
He should bow down to the sleep, rest and give the helm to someone else. Who actually is awake and caring about the Republic. Not only eating the state resources, emptying the state reserves and spending on the ZANU-PF. There is a need of good governance and someone that actually feel they need deliver public services and safe government institutions. So that the state can deliver public goods and the welfare they need. Not the sleeping beauty!
Sleeping is for tired and weak, President Mugabe has done his deal and done his part, long time ago! Therefore, the fatigue and sleep is needed. Someone else should represent the great republic of Zimbabwe. A man or woman who will fight for the people and their plights. Not the ones who eats of the state reserves and state resources for their own gain. That is what the ZANU-PF has done and will be their legacy. Not that President Mugabe falls asleep abroad and makes a bad figure.
That shouldn’t worry the world, what should worry us all, is the efforts and the plans of what comes next. What is the steps ahead and what will be left behind after the sleeping executive leaves the scene. President Mugabe is 93 years old, all of draconian laws, the fragile institutions and the misuse of power, all stems to his reign. The sleeping abroad at conferences and press briefings are only proof, that he should retire and give in. But the ZANU-PF will not let that happen, nor his elite. Peace.
Reference:
Maveriq – ‘President Mugabe does not sleep at conferences, he will be avoiding bright lights says Charamba’ (11.05.2017) link: http://www.pindula.co.zw/news/2017/05/11/president-mugabe-does-not-sleep-at-conferences-he-will-be-avoiding-bright-lights-says-charamba/#.WRRws9KGPIU

“Zimbabwe is one of the most highly developed countries in Africa and after South Africa, I want to know which country has that level of development that we see in Zimbabwe,” (…) “We have resources, perhaps more resources than [any] other country in the world,” he said. “We are not a poor country. We can’t be fragile country. We’ve got these resources.” – President Robert Mugabe appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in South Africa – 4th May 2017 (Mail & Guardian, 2017).
President Robert Mugabe have never been casual and clearly understating his rule. As a ruler he wants to be certain to leave a legacy of prosperous society. Even as the Republic has an economy that been called an albatross by Governor Dr. J.P. Mangudya of the Zimbabwe Reserve Bank. Whose report earlier this year said the country lagged behind with debt repayment, deficits, lacking trust in bond-notes and the unbalanced economy. So when the Governor of the state bank of ZRB are saying this, the President of decades upon decades knows this. If not he is trying to lie. Think the world is blind and stupid on the fragile situation in Zimbabwe.
There has in recent years struggled to have fiscal funds to pay teachers, soldiers and civil servants for months on end. The hospitals have been lacking needed medicine and having equipment. So the developed state is falling. Even if President Mugabe and Gucci Mugabe are buying expensive treatment of health-care abroad and buy luxurious goods there as well.
This together with the patronage and the Zanu-PF elite who are driving expensive SUVs on the streets on Harare, Vice-President Phelezela Mphoko has lived months on end on hotels on the tab of the government. It is not like this ones will criticize the President, as they are living on his will and because they get paid for loyalty. Therefore, the Zanu-PF are trying to defend the long-staying rule and their ruler, who is apparently biblical and supposed to be President even when he is dead. Surely, tomorrow someone in Harare, a Minister or a loyal Zanu-PF spokesman will defend the words of the President.
Since Zimbabwe is so developed, since Pastor Evan Mawarire are in the courts, the flag and camouflage wear is banned. The patriotism and the #ThisFlag are a problem. Well, the movements and public demonstrations are a reaction to the open theft. The thievery done by the state, as they are selling away diamonds and other resources. The problem is also on the possibility of cash and foreign cash reserves. This is together with missing foreign currency and lack of trust in the Bond-Notes. Also with the deficit and the growing debt, are creating possibility of higher inflation. So the value of the currency will go down. If this is all true and the reality is so… than the President Mugabe was deluded in South Africa.
President Mugabe is right, Zimbabwe has resource and could have positive agricultural output, but that was if the Republic was governed properly and did other things than feeding the Zanu-PF elite. Instead of building positive policies and institutions to support and facilitate life for all Zimbabweans. That is something that hasn’t been done by the current leadership that is very close-knit by loyalty towards the President and not laws. The draconian laws and the failing economy will not create a better Zimbabwe. It will not be developed and clearly not the second after South Africa. That is just in the mind of Mugabe, who cannot help himself. Certainly, the Republic of Zimbabwe has a future and could become prosperous, but the Republic need leaders who doesn’t eat, but serve their citizens with services and policies. Peace.
Reference:
Mail & Guardian – ‘Robert Mugabe: We are not a fragile country’ (04.05.2017) link: https://mg.co.za/article/2017-05-04-mugabe-we-are-not-a-fragile-country

Mr. Isaak was arrested in September 2001 during a political crackdown on the so-called G-15, a group of politicians, and journalists critical of Government policies.
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 3, 2017 – The Government of Eritrea must free journalist Dawit Isaak who has been awarded a prestigious press freedom prize some 15 years after he was detained, a United Nations human rights expert says.
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Sheila B. Keetharuth, is also calling on the authorities in Asmara to release unconditionally all others detained unlawfully.
“The Eritrean authorities should stop the practice of arrests and detention carried out without legal basis instantly,” said Ms. Keetharuth, welcoming the award of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 2017 to Mr. Isaak.
Dawit Isaak, who is 52 and a playwright, journalist and writer, moved to Sweden in 1987, where he later became a citizen. He returned to Eritrea only after independence in 1993 and was one of the founders and reporters of Setit, the first independent newspaper in the country.
Mr. Isaak was arrested in September 2001 during a political crackdown on the so-called G-15, a group of politicians, and journalists critical of Government policies. Some were detained and tortured, others disappeared. The last known sighting of Mr. Isaak was in 2005. His whereabouts now are unknown.
“The case of Mr. Isaak is emblematic of all those who have been subjected to enforced disappearances by the Government of Eritrea and remain unaccounted for,” said Ms. Keetharuth.
The Special Rapporteur recalled the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea, which concluded that there were reasonable grounds to believe that Eritrean officials had committed crimes against humanity, including the crime of enforced disappearance, in a persistent, widespread and systematic manner since 1991.
“The Government of Eritrea has an obligation to urgently provide information on the fate and whereabouts of all those deprived of physical liberty. This would be a first and long-overdue indication that the Government is committed to rebuilding trust with the Eritrean people,” Ms. Keetharuth said.
“By allowing independent monitors immediate and unhindered access to all places of detention, official and unofficial, the Government would send a strong signal that it acknowledges human rights violations of the past, while taking steps to improve the situation on the ground now.
“The arrests of Dawit Isaak and his fellow journalists remain the most visible sign of repression of freedom of expression. The Eritrean authorities continue to stifle all forms of expression that could be perceived as critical of the Government and its policies,” she said.
Ms. Keetharuth reaffirmed that freedom of expression was a basic human right, and a free press one of the tenets of a democratic society, providing a valuable check on potential excesses by government.




(Outtake from the) Hani Memorandum Point 2: “We have been forced to draw the conclusion that the payment of salaries to people working in offices is very detrimental to the revolutionary outlook is of those who receive such monies. It is without doubt that such payments corrupt cadres at any level and have the effect of making people perform their duties or fill offices because of money inducement rather than dedication to the cause – they become in effect merely salaried employees of the movement. It is high time that all members and cadres of the ANC, be they in M.K. or not, should receive equal treatment and be judged only on the basis of their dedication and sacrifice to the cause we serve. The principle of thorough selection of cadres should be on the basis of merit and such selection should never be delegated to an individual – this will prevent individuals owing allegiance to those who appoint them rather than to the Revolution” (MacMillian – ‘Debate: the Hani Memorandum’).
Cyril Ramaphosa has been the loyal subject and the appointed Deputy President under the Presidency of Jacob Zuma. He has defended the President countless times, even as he been named in recent months as the part of African National Congress that is “Anti-Zuma Faction”. So the knowledge of his disappearing loyalty has been known since March 2016, still he has not been moved in the midst of changes of cabinet. That is because President Jacob Zuma does not want to challenge to many of the fractions inside the Party. Only the ones needed to please the donors and the ones keeping his village afloat.
So that Deputy President Ramaphosa who hasn’t been stirring the pot or even tried to challenge the President, is clearly now going out of the gates, blazing like he is Mmusi Maimane. Like he is in opposition, as he clearly stated in the memorial speech to Chris Hani today:
“Despite the good work that continues to be done by cadres and deployees in all spheres, the ANC’s programme in government and in communities lacks sufficient coherence and focus. The allegations that there are private individuals who exercise undue influence over state appointments and procurement decisions should be a matter of grave concern to the movement. These practices threaten the integrity of the state, undermine our economic progress and diminish our ability to change the lives of the poor. These activities, if left unchecked, could destroy the revolution. It is therefore critical that the allegations of ‘state capture’ are put to rest, that wrongdoing is exposed and that illicit practices are brought to an end” (News24, 2017).
That DP Ramaphosa are attacking the ANC, the party he is in the midst of and have left unchecked. The ANC have let the Zuma and his cronies do as they please, therefore, the admiration for justice now seems like a way of forging his own way. Since he has let the ‘Capture of State’ happen and the Constitutional Court judgement fail on his watch. As well, as the evident stopping of the ‘No Confidence’ votes in Parliament. So it is not like his words fits his actions. That he wants to now see the illicit practices to an end, seems more like political ploy, together with the knowledge of what sort of rhetoric was used to change Financial Ministers.
That he as a Deputy President been a crony is well-known, that he has supported and made sure that the powers of Jacob Zuma has gone unchecked is clear. Since he has had no issues with the scandals of Nkandla, Eskom and others. The list is so long when it comes to President Zuma, that the books combining the and digging in to it, would be small library to have enough space for it. Therefore, even if his words is powerful today, I have hard time believing it as sincere. Even if these words are stark.
“There is a strong sense among many of our people that the ANC no longer represents their hope for a better life. Many believe that the ANC is no longer a trusted repository of the aspirations of our people for freedom, dignity, peace and justice. Recent political developments have thrown into sharp relief the divisions within our movement and brought to the fore broader grievances about the direction of the country” (News24, 2017).
That he said this and that the people doesn’t trust the ANC is because of the acts of men like Cyril Ramaphosa, whose loyalty to Zuma has for long been more important than the constitution or the National Assembly. Where the ANC has ruled with iron fist for the better life of Zuma cronies and not for the citizens. Therefore, the trust has dwindled, the process of electoral fatigue isn’t the reason, but the misuse of power. That’s been rubber-stamped by the National Assembly Baleka Mbete and the rest of the loyal cadres in the ANC.
So if the ANC should decide on an official succession to Jacob Zuma, it should be someone who is credible and outside the parameter of Zuma’s reach. If it is someone in the current leadership who has been sponsored or been involved in the corrupt behavior of Zuma. So, if the ANC in the next conference and next challenge for the throne. Peace.
Reference:
MacMillian, Hugh – ‘The ‘Hani Memorandum’ – introduced and annotated’ link: http://www.sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/hani_memorandum.pdf
News24 – ‘Full speech by Cyril Ramaphosa at Chris Hani memorial lecture’ (23.04.2017) link: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/full-speech-by-cyril-ramaphosa-at-chris-hani-memorial-lecture-20170423