Malema blasts Zuma for family BEE deals
ANC Youth League president Julius Malema yesterday fired another broadside at President Jacob Zuma, warning him about the questionable involvement of his family members in black economic empowerment deals.
President’s relative ‘an imperialist’
Zuma has recently come under fire following the multi-billion rand Arcelor- Mittal deal involving his son Duduzane and close associate Sandile Zungu.
The feeling, from even his allies like the ANCYL, Cosatu and some members of the Young Communist League, has been that the two got the deal because of their close association with the president.
“We will not allow that resources of this country continue to enrich politicians and their families and those connected to them,” Malema told delegates at a mining summit held in Johannesburg.
Writing in City Press on Sunday, Young Communist League chairperson David Masondo said the deal was an example of how narrow black economic empowerment had become. He labelled the process ZEE – Zuma Economic Empowerment.
“To crown it all, the president’s nephew Khulubuse Zuma seems to have suddenly become an African imperialist, amassing oil resources in the DRC”, wrote Masondo.
Yesterday Malema said such deals were an example of how BEE had failed. “BEE has failed. We adopted BEE thinking we are intervening but we have realised that it has been structured in a way that only politically connected people benefit. “We need a BEE structure that will identify and benefit an individual not because that individual will open the doors for you to see the president,” said Malema.
Malema called for the formation of a state-owned mining company – as the first step towards the nationalisation of mines.
“We are not talking about the grabbing of mines, we are talking in an open democracy on how to make the lives of our people better, ” he said.
The attacks on Zuma around the Arcelor-Mittal deal and by workers during the public sector strike, have led to speculation that Zuma’s future as the president of the ANC and of the country was at stake.
The attacks are seen as a foretaste of what could happen to him at the ANC national general council – where delegates could push for the passing of a motion of no confidence in him. But political analysts believe Zuma’s future as president of the country remains intact.
“Zuma is in trouble, particularly from the left but his removal at the NGC will be an extreme step,” said director of the University of Johannesburg's Centre for the Study of Democracy, Professor Steven Friedman.
Human Sciences Research Council-based political analyst Somadoda Fikeni said debates at the NGC to be robust but that Zuma’s position would not be challenged.
Baleli
Malema pointing fingers at Zuma? What about his deals?The politicians have been making themselves rich from the beginning, what is different now? I can not understand how we have such a controvercial president and no change whatsoever is happening and yet Mbeki got kicked out just like that!!
I think politics are such a dirty game every where and the innocent suffer.
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Akhomi
People who live in glass houses, should not throw stones, Julius. Julius is sad because this one didn't come to his company? It's pity we don't a good opposition party, the ANC is failing us big time.Report Abuse
1malesia
This is such an unfortunate practice that seems to be embraced by our leaders, enriching themselves and those close to them. We have seen it with so many of our politicians. Of course Malema himself is not excluded in this pool.I work for the mining industry and would be utterly devastated if the mines were to be nationalised. Everything our government touches turns to poison. I would hate to have to find myself in the position the recent strikers were in. I consider the mines to be one of the industries that pays employees really well. The government will send us straight into poverty, both the people here in SA and the other thousands that are from neighbouring countries like Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique etc.
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Nescafe
BEE was never meant to help the poor from the biginning, it was meant for the politicians to enrich themselves. Juju, must just shut-up.Report Abuse
QueenB
Oh please Juju get off ur high horse ur jus lyk ur daddy here n now u wanna come n act ol mighty as if it really bothers u...mayb its bcoz u feel left out on tis one nxee damn politicians ur chowing our monies wit ur buddies ol d freakin tym if its not u its ur dad n his huge family yeses mannn...Report Abuse
mthunzco
If it is Zuma and Malema. I cannot comment. These two are just fooling people around.Report Abuse
Bigbrother
This is really ZEE-Zuma Economic Empowerment.If the poor people of this country don,t realise that voting ANC into power was a mistake,I don,t think they derserve my sympathy.......After 16 yrs people are still without water,electricity,houses & proper education & the ANC is proud that they will soon be 20 years old(because of the poor black people of this country).....Its a damn shame!Report Abuse
Torso
Juju would you please STFU. Do you really think people buy this rubbish you talk about? Wena le Zuma la tshwana ka jalo goa tshwana. Negro please!Report Abuse