By Political Bureau
The ANC's military veterans made an about-turn today after a stinging personal attack on former cabinet minister Kader Asmal in which they said he must go to the nearest cemetery and "die".
The chairman of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association, Kebby Maphatsoe, said that after discussions last night with ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe, he would consider withdrawing parts of yesterday's statement.
Asked whether the association would apologise to Asmal, he said it would discuss that with the ANC.
"The ANC has spoken to us. It's unfortunate if we were harsh.
"If we need to retract that part of the statement we will respect the decision of the ANC," said the veterans' leader.
Continues Below ↓
Yesterday's statement came after Asmal criticised party decisions and the conduct of some ANC leaders, especially Justice Minister Jeff Radebe and Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula.
In response to Asmal's comment that he hoped he would not live to see Mbalula become secretary-general of the ANC, the veterans said: "We advise Kader Asmal to go to the nearest cemetery and die if that is the choice he had made."
The statement added: "Comrade Mbalula had never declared his availability, and according to the organisational processes it is too early for any declaration of availability or any succession debates."
Asmal also described Radebe's comment on South Africa selling arms to dubious foreign countries as political illiteracy, but the military veterans reminded him of his track record as education minister.
"We are of the opinion that Kader Asmal cannot speak on matters of political illiteracy as he had failed the many children and youth of South Africa during his tenure as minister of education," they said.
"It is this arrogance that blinded him to fail the majority of the South African future; he should leave Comrade Jeff Radebe alone if he does not understand the decisions of the cabinet.
Continues...
|
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Digg
Delicious
Newsvine
Facebook
muti
Twitter
