I AM shocked that the ANC Veterans League excluded in its leadership experienced cadres such as John Nkadimeng, Andrew Mlangeni, Gertrude Shope, and Ronnie Kasrils.

I AM shocked that the ANC Veterans League excluded in its leadership experienced cadres such as John Nkadimeng, Andrew Mlangeni, Gertrude Shope, and Ronnie Kasrils.

As a member of the ANC I feel it was unnecessary to form a veterans league because veterans do not represent a social sector outside the ANC.

Nelson Mandela mobilised funds for former MK vets who fought in the Wankie and Sipolilo campaigns. Muammar Gadaffi donated funds to buy commercial boats. Farms were bought. The veterans abused the funds and thereafter blamed Thabo Mbeki for neglecting them.

With ANC leaders enriching themselves by hook or by crook, the veterans demanded to be treated with special gloves. The culture of entitlement is what the veterans will demand. Look at what war veterans are doing in Zimbabwe. Take the example of SACP veteran Eric Mtshali, who was deployed by President Jacob Zuma in SAPS crime intelligence . Nearing retirement age, he used Zuma again to be elected to parliament. How greedy was this? The Veterans League will be used to access tenders.

The ANCVL, like the ANCWL, ANCYL, SACP and Cosatu will be used to elect leaders who can distribute patronage similar to what Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe and the MPLA in Angola are doing. In Angola, Fapla generals and the ruling elite live off resources like timber and oil.

It is in that context that the ANCVL will be used to defend corruption in the Land and Ithala banks, DBSA, Transnet and other parastatals. We did not struggle to be rewarded.

What monetary reward has been given to OR Tambo, AB Xuma, Gert Sibande, Yusuf Dadoo, Charlotte Maxeke, Helen Joseph, Peter Nchabeleng and Lilian Ngoyi?

Noluvuyo Dweshula, Lusikisiki