COSATU condemns the factional and reckless statements by the MKMVA
30 August 2016
The Congress of South African Trade Unions is deeply disappointed by the actions of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association {MKMVA} leaders, Cde Kebby Maphatsoe and Cde Des Van Rooyen, of publicly condemning another minister {Cde Pravin Gordhan} using their different political hats as a justification. We find this insincere and distasteful because these ministers have many forums available at their disposal to internally discuss this matter and raise their views inside the ANC. These comrades are all ANC ministers ,serving one cabinet and one organisation and do not need press conferences to engage and reconcile their positions.
The MKMVA leadership is continuing to propagate the same factional battles of the ANC that have eroded the overwhelming support that the ANC-led Alliance enjoyed amongst the masses of our people
While COSATU remain suspicious of any vicarious adoration of one individual and also remain opposed to any attempts to create the cult of personality around Cde Pravin Gordhan; we do not think this factional driven thrash talking in the media by leaders of the MKMVA is necessary and helpful. Their reckless statements and actions are starting to give credence to the accusation by some that the Hawks’ investigation and pursuit of Cde Pravin Gordhan is nothing but political persecution. We want to remind the MKMVA that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law.
Cde Pravin has every right to do what he did and if we, as the Alliance, are going to proclaim ourselves the defenders of freedom, we need to defend his freedom to question and challenge the Hawks’ actions.