The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has missed the mark once again. The suspension of Zandile Gumede with full pay after only eight days of being sworn in as a KZN MPL is a disgrace and a shameful act. This was a political blunder and a demonstration of poor political judgement from the word go. If the ANC-KZN only now realises that they made a mistake, they can’t half correct it.
The suspension with full pay of Ms Gumede is a clear indication that the ANC does not care how the taxpayer’s money is used in KwaZulu-Natal.
Zandile Gumede should have stepped down to save the face for the ANC. The ANC lacks decisive and bold leadership. The ANC-KZN knew from the beginning that Zandile Gumede was heavily implicated in a corruption case worth about R400 million. Now that they are awake, if they want to be taken seriously, they must be bold and decisive and ask Zandile Gumede to do the honourable thing and to resign, and if she refuses, show her the door as an MPL.
The lack of decisive leadership is an indictment in our province and further deepens the trust deficit between the government and the voters.
Once again the ANC, like in many previous instances, has proven to safeguard party interests instead of prioritizing the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
Millions of rands have been wasted through suspended government officials staying home while drawing full salaries and benefits. Zandile Gumede will be an additional drain on the fiscus.
The IFP rejects the reckless misuse of the taxpayer’s money in KZN – as demonstrated by this suspension with full pay. The IFP views this move as a mockery and a slap in the face of the people of KwaZulu-Natal. The people of KwaZulu-Natal are learning hard lessons from the ANC.
The IFP now calls upon the National Leadership of the ANC to intervene and show Zandile Gumede the door. The open letter written by the ANC President is categoric that people implicated in corruption cases must step down.
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Contact:
IFP President Hon Velenkosini Hlabisa, MPL
Leader of the Official Opposition.
083 974 5783