Firebrand ANC MP Makhosi Khoza is vociferous in articulating the shortfalls of the ruling party and has raised the ire of President Jacob Zuma’s allies.
She is advocating that the vote of no confidence in Zuma, which is set, for August 8, be done by secret ballot.
She has publicly called for the president to step down.
Other leaders and leaders from the alliance have also called for the president to step down but the daggers seem to be pointing in the direction of Khoza.
Her disciplinary hearing is set for next week but she seems unperturbed and resilient as ever stating that the hearing is being handled by an “illegitimate structure”.
Khoza is going to be defiant to the bitter end. With death threats hanging over her head and minimal protection she seems to be prepared for the inevitable.
A commentator on e.tv on Sunday mentioned that he hoped she survived this massive onslaught against her and is alive to see the results of the vote of no confidence on the president.
Death threats have become an instantaneous norm as soon as leaders speak out against the rot in the government or call for Zuma to step down.
Our tenacious advocate Thuli Madonsela’s life was also threatened with death because she openly spoke out against the criminality of corruption and its devastating impact on the most vulnerable of our society.
In a country which claims democracy as it guiding principle, death threats need to be extensively investigated and total protection given to the person receiving the death threats.
Furthermore protection must be absolute irrespective of the political party the person belongs to.
For now the public awaits the outcome of disciplinary hearing against Khoza.
Many are predicting that she may be recalled as an MP.
She fully comprehends the ramifications of her actions.
A principled leader sees the injustices perpetrated and is willing to fight against them even if it means standing alone.
Herein lies the heart of our constitutional democracy which is the right to choose.
You can either choose to remain silent while the country collapses or you can choose to make your voice heard.
The voice of the revolutionary conciousness can never be ignored.
It is in this context that Khoza will continue to be defiant and relevant because she is raising issues that directly affect the people that she represents.