Msimang’s resignation is a form of protest: Analyst

Political Analyst, Professor Dirk Kotze, has labelled Mavuso Msimang’s resignation from the ANC as a form of protest.

Msimang penned a resignation letter to the party’s secretary general after serving the organisation for over six decades.

In the long letter, the stalwart laid bare the extent at which corruption has ravaged the governing party at the expense of ordinary citizens.

The now former deputy president of the ANC Veterans League reflected on how corruption has become part of the movement’s DNA.

“When we took over the government in 1994, we had the moral high ground and the conviction that we would be able to root out the old-boy networks that had benefited from, and strangled the apartheid economy.

“Yet, three decades later, the ANC’s own track record of corruption is a cause of great shame.”

Yoh, Dr Mavuso Msimang doesn’t pull his punches in his resignation letter to @MYANC. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for someone, who has served this organisation for more than 60 years, to write this letter.🥺 pic.twitter.com/i6BaTULk7Q

— Melanie Webb (@MelanieWebbSA) December 7, 2023

Kotze says Msimang’s resignation is very significant in the ANC as he is one of the moral compasses that kept watch of the governing party’s integrity.

“If he has reached the point where he says there is no way forward for the ANC or that this is a resignation in protest, because there is so little progress with respect to dealing with corruption.”

The scholar says Msimang’s resignation may be detrimental to the party, with just a few months ahead of next year’s general elections.

The ANC Veterans League has welcomed Msimang’s resignation.

The veteran wing’s president , Snuki Zikalala has slammed the claims made by the ANC’s secretary general, Fikile Mbalula.

In a media briefing, Mbalula called on ANC veterans to stop de-campaigning the organisation and work through the structures of the organisation.

[WATCH] We call upon the Veterans of the ANC to stop de-campaigning the organisation and work through the structures of the organisation. The leaders of the ANC have availed ourselves to the council and the direction of our veterans and stalwarts.

• ANC Secretary General… pic.twitter.com/zu8RGRMwzB

— African National Congress (@MYANC) December 6, 2023

Zikalala has rejected allegations that they are undermining the ANC when they speak up against the corruption that continues to erode the liberation movement.

“We will continue to engage at provincial and national levels in the list processes to take a stand against individuals who are implicated in corrupt activities, including those fingered in the Zondo Commission being part of the election lists for provincial and national legislatures.”

He adds that taking a stand against corruption is the only path to renew the ANC and to restore its legitimacy.

The ANC has also noted Msimang’s resignation, saying his contribution to the struggle against apartheid remains invaluable.

ANC NOTES THE RESIGNATION OF COMRADE MAVUSO MSIMANG pic.twitter.com/cTXRN0WsGV

— African National Congress (@MYANC) December 7, 2023

South Africans are also sharing their views on the matter on social media.

ANC veteran Mavuso Msimang was very vocal under Jacob Zuma. However, he never resigned. He still saw a future.
He has now resigned. He feels ANC can’t be rescued from itself. pic.twitter.com/TvVmrdF12F

— Bra Hloni (@BraHlonisky) December 7, 2023

It was in 1996 at the TRC hearings when I mentioned the word CORRUPTION, referring to a R2m bribe by Kerzner to the then Transkei government Cabinet. ANC expelled me. Today corruption is eating like a cancerous tumour in the body politic of the ANC. Kubi! https://t.co/wNIxfUYIjF

— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) December 7, 2023

Everyone with keen interest in the affairs of South Africa must read and reflect on the contents of Mavuso’s letter.
I especially urge young people to reflect on it.
Truth Must Prevail.
https://t.co/sWUBF4wOKG

— Thabang Motsohi (@MotsohiThabang) December 7, 2023

In 2017, Mavuso Msimang said he and others told President Jacob Zuma that they knew he wasn’t corrupt and that if he resigned they would “go and tell everybody” and ensure that people would stop taking him to court “for the 783 charges”. pic.twitter.com/syTUfh2uqt

— Sizwe SikaMusi (@SizweLo) December 7, 2023

As one of our outstanding veterans, Cde Mavuso Msimang’s resignation is regrettable. We all join the ANC on a voluntary basis and as such the ANC continues to grow. I am pleased that he has said he intends to continue with his activism. pic.twitter.com/lMdYsvIgZM

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) December 7, 2023