Mantashe should retract anti-jobs conspiracy rant

22 February 2016

The DA calls on ANC Secretary-General, Gwede Mantashe, to publically retract and apologise for his completely ridiculous anti-jobs rant about the United States government plotting to organise a coup d'etat in South Africa. 

This ludicrous conspiracy thinking will only act to deter foreign direct investment from one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, at a time when we face an economic crisis.

If the ANC was serious about growing the economy and creating jobs, Mr Mantashe would be doing everything possible to ensure policy certainty, so that South Africa is viewed as an attractive partner to do business with.

His silly rant is embarrassing for our country, and an insult to the 8.3 million South Africans who do not have jobs, or who have given up looking for a job.

He must put his pride aside, and retract and apologise without delay. We cannot let unfounded conspiracy theories jeopardise the future of millions of South Africans.

Statement issued by Phumzile Van Damme MP, DA National Spokesperson, 22 February 2016