Linking Nkandla, Zuma to Xenophobic attacks is Vavi's Magic Parade
Introduction and background
Mr Vavi has reportedly argued that xenophobic attacks were a result of the ‘costs of security upgrades at Nkandla…’ while addressing Emmanuel Ministries in Klerksdorp. He mentioned that the violent attacks could have been prevented “if a person did not take taxpayers money to build himself a private home worth R250 million”. NUM not surprised but worried about the incongruous parade (see report).
The NUM is not surprised by the comments reportedly made by the former General Secretary of COSATU erstwhile comrade Zwelinzima Vavi.We embrace the fact that South Africa promotes freedom of speech but blaming Jacob Zuma`s private residence and costs thereto for the recent Xenophobic attacks is a disgusting magic wand the authors of our freedoms into the constitution did not fathom . No wonder such lunatic appraisal escaped the expertise of the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and her office pertaining to the Nkandla issue.
The degeneration is too soon
It is too soon for NUM to accept such degeneration from Mr Vavi. As NUM, we understand Mr Vavi `s hatred to President Zuma. To remind South Africans, the sin for Zuma is his refusal to endorse Mr Vavi for the Deputy President of the ANC in the build-up to the ANC` December 2012 Mangaung Elective Conference. Unfortunately, Mr Zuma will have to bear this abuse for his resoluteness and as long as Vavi `s parched thirst for the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa remains unquenched.
Contributory factors to xenophobic attacks
NUM believes that the Xenophobic attacks have many contributory factors :unemployment levels of South Africans, continuing job scarcity, inequality, and poverty have contributed to conditions that make it easier for the disadvantaged to blame foreign nationals for their ills . In this regard, NUM calls for intensification of service delivery by the government in meeting national priorities.
On business
We also take this opportunity to call on business to stop taking advantage of the vulnerability of the working class particularly the foreign nationals for cheap labour.
NUM Support interventions
We support the temporary measures already put into effect to stabilise the situation such as bringing in the army. This intervention must apply in both volatile provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal and hope that the right of residents will be upheld while entrenching stability.
NUM is also worried about the impact of such fallacious input to the Emmanuel Ministries in Klerksdorp which Mr Vavi addressed when he oozed the bizarre diatribes.
Statement issued by Livhuwani Mammburu: Acting NUM National Spokesperson, April 22 2015
