Publication: Weekend Argus
Issued:
Date: 2007-12-09
Reporter:
| Publication |
Weekend Argus
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| Date |
2007-12-09
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Reporter |
Weekend Argus Reporter |
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Web Link
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www.capeargus.co.za
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Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has made a dramatic intervention in the ANC
succession battle with a withering attack on Mo Shaik.
He accuses Jacob Zuma's strategist of
conduct unbecoming the African National Congress,
and of undermining the party and the government.
In a biting open letter written in response to a newspaper interview with Shaik,
Manuel questions his influence and brands him arrogant.
Shaik had spoken of Manuel's future in a Zuma government, and said there was
a role of sorts for him "if he has the
(policy) flexibility".
In his response, the minister said he had experienced
unsurpassed joy in being called by two successive presidents, Nelson
Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, to serve as finance minister.
The emphasis was on service - to his country and people, and this had become an
act of love: "And yes, the assignment as finance minister is one that I draw
great pleasure from. But be assured that the opportunity I speak of is not
something I will grovel for, nor do I ever wish to be beholden," he writes.
"So, I observe that I might not have the qualities of flexibility that you are
looking for - I am sorry that I fail you so. I also see that you see a great
role for me - that is wonderful. But who asked you?
Your comments are exceedingly arrogant and gratuitous - but how do you claim
this right?"
Manuel wrote that he was so struck by the force of Shaik's attitude in the
interview in the Mail & Guardian, "that I thought that I had missed a trick. I
then checked the list of nominees to the NEC - your name should have been in
position 139, between Shabangu and Shiceka - but it was not there. So what is
the source of your raw power?
"Your conduct is certainly not something in the tradition of the African
National Congress. It is obvious that you have no intention of becoming part of
any elected collective within the organisation, yet you arrogate to yourself the
role of determinant. Despite your glib references to finding 'synchronicity
between government and those in Luthuli House', you quite frankly act to
undermine both."
Manuel said his plea to Shaik was simple: "It has taken 96 years of the most
unimaginable toil and sacrifice to build the ANC into this formidable movement.
It could be destroyed in five days at Polokwane. Don't do it. The ethos of the
ANC over all its life has been Umfutho Kubantu, a movement of the people at its
service. You have no right to turn this organisation into something that
serves your ego."
Signing the letter with "comradely greetings", Manuel added that the same
message went to "the other self-appointed recent spokespersons for the National
Democratic Revolution" such as Cosatu's Patrick Craven, Fikile Mbalula of the
ANC Youth League, and Jeremy Gordin, correspondent for
Independent Newspapers.
In the interview with Mail & Guardian editor Ferial Haffajee, Shaik, brother of
jailed Zuma financial adviser Schabir Shaik, was tipped to to play a central
role in South African politics if Zuma became president. He had been one of
those running the Zuma campaign, it said.
On reports of a motion of no confidence against President Thabo Mbeki if Zuma
were elected as leader, Shaik reportedly said: "It's not on the agenda, it's
categorically not on the agenda."
Referring to a joking reference by Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni that he,
Mbeki and Manuel were on their way out, Shaik was quoted as saying:
"If those are Tito's concerns, they are unfounded. I see a great role for him
(Manuel).
"If he (Manuel) has the flexibility (of mind), the next administration will have
a role for him in some capacity."
The interview also dealt with policy and economic policy.
Zuma's priorities were similar to Mbeki's. But what promised to be very
different, said Shaik, was the style of government: "It all goes to the style of
the leader who can now create the conversations and dialogue and stitch together
the institutional arrangements for these to happen."
* This article was originally published on page 1 of
The Cape Argus
on December 09, 2007
With acknowledgement to Weekend Argus.
The elephants - they fight - by proxy.