In response to Jacob Zuma’s interview, I say it is not about hatred for him. A lack of honesty, integrity and faithfulness is why people mistrust Zuma.

Whenever Zuma faces a personal challenge, he creates a scapegoat and presents himself as a victim.

His hatred for Terror Lekota began in the early 1990s, when Lekota mobilised ANC branches in KwaZulu-Natal to vote him chairperson of the Southern Natal region.

Tribalism was used to outvote Lekota after he had sacrificed his life by accepting deployment in the then war-torn KwaZulu-Natal.

Many have been victims of the dirty tricks Zuma has played to get himself into any position. Cyril Ramaphosa was the next victim of Zuma’s plots.

Before Polokwane, Zuma summoned MK veterans to a feast in Nkandla and blamed Ramaphosa for their problems. These problems are now being transferred to Lekota and Mluleki George.

After Ramaphosa, it was Bulelani Ngcuka just because the Scorpions investigated Schabir Shaik, Mac Maharaj and Zuma himself.

After Ngcuka it was Vusi Pikoli and Mokotedi Mpshe.

There was also Ronnie Kasrils, who was accused of using a young woman to expose Zuma’s appetite for unprotected sex.

Now Zuma is creating mistrust among members of his national executive committee by labelling people spies for Shikota. And now everybody in the NEC will try their best to please the patron, Jacob Zuma.

Worse, some Zuma hardliners mistrust Kgalema Motlanthe because he appointed Ebrahim Rasool as his political adviser and reprimanded the erratic Julius Malema. Lastly, Zuma has been a hardcore tribalist, all his controversial speeches are made in Zulu.

He encouraged “100% Zulu Boy” T-shirts when Motlanthe denounced hoax emails as the work of a “third force”.

His anti-lesbian and gay stance reveals his conservatism.

He distorted “Zulu culture” to defend himself in his rape trial.

As a result of all of this, many do not support you, Mr Zuma. They question your revolutionary principles and do not bear any personal animosity towards you.

Don Tembe
Empangeni

With acknowledgements to Makhudu Sefara and City Press.