ANC deputy secretary general Jesse Duarte has made some startling revelations in a new interview with Gupta-owned media channel, ANN7.<\/p>\n
In an interview with ANN7 political editor, Ricky Naidoo, Duarte acknowledged that the party was fighting a battle for the “heart of its identity” within itself.<\/p>\n
She said that there were definitely ANC members in the party that were anti-president Jacob Zuma, and that there were increasingly divisive narratives being built up around the president and finance minister, Pravin Gordhan.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Naidoo, Duarte attempted to set the record straight on a number of topics – from alleged state capture; Gordhan’s battle with the Hawks, and how the party is trying to fight the fight from within.<\/p>\n
Here are five revelations that came from the interview:<\/p>\n
An early elective conference is definitely on the cards<\/strong><\/p>\n A call for an early elective conference has been put forward by Jackson Mthembu and Bathebile Dlamini. This could be as early as December 2016.<\/p>\n Secretary general Gwede Mantashe has already publicly stated that an early conference would not be a bad idea, however all stakeholders would need to be consulted.<\/p>\n Calls have also come from other branches in the party, with the ANC Youth League putting the proposal forward, with the ANC Women’s League expected to also support the call.<\/p>\n Foreign companies – not the Guptas – have “undue influence” in SA<\/strong><\/p>\n Duarte admitted that she does not know if the president consults with the Gupta family – but said that, if he did, it would be out of character.<\/p>\n “Does the president consult the Guptas? I don’t know, that is the honest answer. I would be very surprised if he appointed people after consulting the Guptas, because that’s just not his style.”<\/p>\n The DSG said that the Gupta saga set a bad precedent for black business owners in the country – and them being effectively “run out” based on speculation meant that “black companies without a white partner stand no chance”.<\/p>\n Talking on claims of “undue influence” perpetrated by the Guptas, Duarte said that such influence was actually coming from other sectors – pointing to threats from companies like Coca-Cola to disinvest in the country if a sugar tax gets implemented.<\/p>\n “There is no ‘let’s sit down and talk’ – it’s just ‘we will just leave’,” she said.<\/p>\n Zuma isn’t responsible for the rand’s movements<\/strong><\/p>\n Duarte expressed concern that the rand was being linked to “personalities” like president Jacob Zuma and Pravin Gordhan.<\/p>\n “We as the ANC must ask ‘why is the rand so jumpy? What is causing the rand to jump around so much?”<\/p>\n She noted that the rand, as a currency, is privately owned, and is impacted more by external movements, not individuals.<\/p>\n There is no Cabinet reshuffle coming – and no plan to “get rid of the reds”<\/strong><\/p>\n Referring to claims by the South African Communist Party that there is a concerted effort to remove “the reds” (communists) from government, Duarte dismissed the talk outright, even laughing at the notion.<\/p>\n It is speculated that the next big move from president Zuma is a Cabinet reshuffle, which would see SACP leaders like Gordhan and deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas replaced.<\/p>\n Economists and analysts have warned that such a move would cement South Africa’s “junk” status, and would destroy the economy.<\/p>\n Duarte dismissed this, saying that “there’s no talk within the ANC of reshuffling people at this present time.”<\/p>\n The DSG said that, while the ANC NEC were surprised by the president’s shuffle in December 2015 – when former finmin Nhlanhla Nene was fired and replaced with the then-unknown Des van Rooyen – the president is often in consultation with the NEC over appointments.<\/p>\n Gordhan is isolating himself – and should do what the Hawks say<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally, speaking on the so-called “Sars Wars”, Duarte said that the finance minister should have complied with the Hawks’ request to see him, so that his integrity could be challenged by the process.<\/p>\n She said she believed Gordhan was innocent, but should have respected the state processes.<\/p>\n “At the moment, these are all allegations, not charges. I don’t think Pravin Gordhan would do anything illegal – so I don’t think there would have been any harm in appearing before the Hawks,” she said.<\/p>\n “Grand-standing will undermine (Gordhan’s integrity) even more.”<\/p>\n Duarte said that no one in the ANC wanted “thieves” in the party, and that they needed to be stopped and expelled – and in that way they were all on the same side. However, she said that they couldn’t ignore the processes involved.<\/p>\n “It’s about fighting the thieves\u00a0–\u00a0but also about respecting the institutions of the state,” she said.<\/p>\n “Everyone needs to calm down”<\/strong><\/p>\n Duarte said that the ANC needed to put aside the narratives being put out in the public to divide the party, and come together and talk.<\/p>\n “I don’t want to be seen as taking sides. We need to calm down, stop the rumour mongering, and we need to face each other and talk.”<\/p>\n Duarte said that the current narratives around the ANC were working right into the hands of the opposition – namely the EFF and the DA. She said it was time for the ANC to show unity.<\/p>\n “The demise of the ANC is the rise of the EFF and the DA,” she said. “Every ANC member needs to come together and defend the party.”<\/p>\n ANC alleged to have received R80 million in Prasa train bribes: report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ANC leaders must take personal responsibility for election losses \u2013 Ramaphosa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This is who is lined up to take over Gordhan\u2019s role as finance minister<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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