GWEDE Mantashe has accused President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party of trying to destabilise the ANC through Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
In a lively information session in Johannesburg yesterday, the ANC’s secretary-general said Malema’s new political movement was being supported by Zanu-PF.
He said the EFF’s policy had little to do with the Freedom Charter and “a lot more with Mugabe and Zanu-PF”.
Mantashe’s comments came after Mugabe’s recent public castigation of President Jacob Zuma’s adviser on foreign affairs, Lindiwe Zulu, and came amid speculation that the EFF is being funded by Zanu-PF.
He was also blunt on the Zimbabwean government’s faults, saying Mugabe’s economic policy was the “last road” that South Africa could take. Zimbabwe holds its general election tomorrow.
Mantashe said South Africa had to admit that Zanu-PF had destroyed Zimbabwe’s economy.
“In 1980 you got Z$1,50 for R1, today the Zimbabwean dollar is worthless, it is not worth a cent,” he said.
Mantashe did not have only criticism for Mugabe’s policies, however, saying South Africa could learn from its neighbour on investing in its education and training.
As for Mugabe’s comment that migrant labour from Zimbabwe kept South Africa’s economy going, Mantashe admitted the agricultural and hospitality industries were often staffed by Zimbabweans because South Africa’s youth seemed to think this type of work “was beneath them”.
Mantashe did not want to expand on the nature of Zanu-PF’s support for the EFF, but said the EFF would be treated like any other political organisation, “whether it is the EFF, KISS or the Dagga party”.
He warned that people should not be duped by Malema’s statements on the Freedom Charter — the ANC’s founding document — because Malema’s public statements contradicted the charter’s principles.
This includes Malema’s calls for land to be taken without compensation and his calls for the transfer of mineral rights to the state. Mantashe pointed out that mineral rights are already controlled by the state, thanks to legislation.
