ANC misled the public by defending Nkandla upgrade, Mbalula concedes

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ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula has conceded that the ANC misled the public by defending former President Jacob Zuma’s multi-million rand Nkandla homestead upgrade.

Mbalula was addressing members and supporters of the ruling party at the Mjindi Town Hall in Barberton, Mpumalanga as part of the build-up programme to the ANC 112th Anniversary Rally and January 8 Statement, to be held at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

“In defence of our President, we went to parliament and opened an ad hoc committee and said a swimming pool is a fire pool…” Mbalula boasted.

The SG further stated that people lost careers because of that issue, because it is difficult to defend lies – and that the matter went to the Constitutional Court where a judgement was made that the then President, Jacob Zuma, was unfit to hold office. 

NotInMyName (NIMN) civil rights movement and social justice lobby group says it is deeply concerned about the recent remarks made by Mbalula, where he openly admitted to defending corruption in parliament. 

“Mbalula’s admission to defending corruption in parliament – lying under oath by extension, is an insult to the Constitution, Parliament and to ordinary South Africans who put their faith, fears and aspirations in the hands of scheming and lying politicians. 

“The SG’s statements makes us wonder how many other occasions has the ruling party had to lie “in defence of their President”, both past and present – most notably, the Phala Phala farm gate scandal. 

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“As members of the civil society in South Africa, we wish to call upon ordinary South Africans to register to vote better in the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial Government Elections.

“For many years we have been told to vote with our consciences, it is time to vote with our lived experiences – no lights, no jobs, and no ethical leaders,” said NIMN President Siyabulela Jentile. 

The entire country was taken for a ride & we knew it!

Danko @MbalulaFikile for finally saying it pic.twitter.com/HhRA0Ufv6j

— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) January 7, 2024

Save this video everyone. Ali G has done it again – said the quiet part out loud. https://t.co/wh682YujO4

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) January 7, 2024

If I was Ramaphosa – I’m not – Mbalula’s gaffe would be an opportunity for redemption & accountability. I’d push for a Parly Inquiry & insist my members tell the truth about being pressured to lie to protect Zuma. Advantage Ramaphosa. But, I’m not him, just chewing cud s’all.

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) January 8, 2024

This SG had just confirmed that the ruling party knowingly lied to Parliament and that they violated a Constitutional Court ruling. He really isn’t the smartest bloke around, is he?. This is what the ANC gets for not taking capabilities seriously. ???????????? https://t.co/aV73yvW6Zd

— Adam Habib (@AdHabb) January 7, 2024

Remember #PhalaPhalaFarmGate !

If Mbalula’s recent statements are anything to go by, given the chance, the ANC will ALWAYS put its interests above those of the citizens! #VoteATM2024 pic.twitter.com/VCuv5B07hR

— African Transformation Movement (@ATMovement_SA) January 8, 2024

Fikile Mbalula confirms what we’ve known all along. The ANC protects its corrupt presidents even in parliament over the interests of the nation. They repeated it with #PhalaPhalaFarmGate. The ANC does not understand the role of a leader of society. It’s politically bankrupt pic.twitter.com/nL5vjc4v4r

— Fana Mokoena (@fanamokoena) January 8, 2024