Shutting down dissent and debate IN DECEMBER last year President Jacob Zuma – emerging victorious from Mangaung despite the best efforts of certain sec tors of the ANC Youth League – announced that he intended “sorting out” and “correcting” the league.
“We are going to deal with the young people. If you mess up the ANC, the ANC messes you up.”
And indeed, it is one promise he has delivered on.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe this week announced the dissolution of the entire ANCYL national executive committee for what he termed “ill discipline” and “un-ANC behaviour”.
How does one decode words like “un-ANC” behaviour?
Tender fraud and tax evasion are clearly not regarded as un- ANC behaviour because allegations of both against the former ANCYL leader Julius Malema did not lead to his suspension in 2010.
In fact, Zuma refused to have him investigated. Back then he was still an anointed son of the ANC executive. He also, with impunity, swore at a BBC journalist on national television – calling him a bastard and a bloody agent.
That, apparently, was not un- ANC, nor did it bring the party into disrepute because no disciplinary action was contemplated.
Malema was finally suspended in 2011. His transgression was “publicly expressing his personal views in contravention of ANC policy, thereby sowing divisions within the organisation and bring ing the organisation into disrepute”.
What he had, in fact, done was to unfavourably compare the leadership style of President Jacob Zuma with that of former president Thabo Mbeki.
It seems the ANC will tolerate a lot from its younger members – but draws the line at criticism of its leadership. Clearly then, vociferously debating youth agendas, mocking the leadership or questioning existing policies constitutes un-ANC behavior.
Mantashe denies this was a purge – but it is difficult to see it in any other way. The party is closing ranks and shutting down dissent and open debate. The mes sage is clear: Toe the line. Those who don’t, pay a high price. It means losing power, political credibility, privilege and income.
When Zuma tolerates the shut ting down of freedom of expression in his own party, one is left wondering about his commitment to the country’s constitution which, as president, he has sworn to uphold.
Our Opinion: Zuma deals with league
“We are going to deal with the young people. If you mess up the ANC, the ANC messes you up.”
And indeed, it is one promise he has delivered on.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe this week announced the dissolution of the entire ANCYL national executive committee for what he termed “ill discipline” and “un-ANC behaviour”.
How does one decode words like “un-ANC” behaviour?
Tender fraud and tax evasion are clearly not regarded as un- ANC behaviour because allegations of both against the former ANCYL leader Julius Malema did not lead to his suspension in 2010.
In fact, Zuma refused to have him investigated. Back then he was still an anointed son of the ANC executive. He also, with impunity, swore at a BBC journalist on national television – calling him a bastard and a bloody agent.
That, apparently, was not un- ANC, nor did it bring the party into disrepute because no disciplinary action was contemplated.
Malema was finally suspended in 2011. His transgression was “publicly expressing his personal views in contravention of ANC policy, thereby sowing divisions within the organisation and bring ing the organisation into disrepute”.
What he had, in fact, done was to unfavourably compare the leadership style of President Jacob Zuma with that of former president Thabo Mbeki.
It seems the ANC will tolerate a lot from its younger members – but draws the line at criticism of its leadership. Clearly then, vociferously debating youth agendas, mocking the leadership or questioning existing policies constitutes un-ANC behavior.
Mantashe denies this was a purge – but it is difficult to see it in any other way. The party is closing ranks and shutting down dissent and open debate. The mes sage is clear: Toe the line. Those who don’t, pay a high price. It means losing power, political credibility, privilege and income.
When Zuma tolerates the shut ting down of freedom of expression in his own party, one is left wondering about his commitment to the country’s constitution which, as president, he has sworn to uphold.
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