Thabo Mbeki Criticises Jacob Zuma’s Leadership at ANC NEC Lekgotla

In a powerful and unequivocal critique delivered at the African National Congress's (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) Lekgotla, former South African President Thabo Mbeki has openly denounced the practices and consequences of Jacob Zuma’s presidency within the party and the country. The meeting, set against the backdrop of the turbulent political scenario in Boksburg, witnessed Thabo Mbeki holding no punches as he described the term under Zuma as a period marked by counter-revolutionary actions that facilitated failure and misfortune for the ruling party.

Mbeki’s address to the ANC’s elections commission came in light of startling accusations against Zuma, following a resolution by the NEC to suspend the latter for serious contraventions of the ANC’s constitution. Unpacking the perceived damage, Mbeki highlighted key state institutions, including the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and power utility Eskom, suggesting that they had been targets of deliberate destabilization attempts during Zuma’s tenure.

The former president pinned the direct involvement of state capture and operational takeover on Zuma and his associates, notably mentioning Tom Moyane, the controversial former commissioner of SARS. This level of interference, as Mbeki contends, has significantly tarnished the narrative surrounding the ANC government, contributing to its decline in both credibility and performance.

Furthermore, Mbeki contrasted the periods pre and post the year 2007, marking the time when Jacob Zuma assumed the presidency. He reminisced about the strides made in economic growth, GDP improvement, and reductions in crime from 1994 to 2007. However, the script flipped drastically post-2008 according to Mbeki, where both the party and nation saw dramatic shifts leading to amplified challenges that plague South Africa today.

These vehement criticisms by Mbeki not only serve to highlight the alleged infractions by his successor but also function as a clarion call to the ANC to assess the direction in which the party is headed. The address comes at a critical juncture as the party looks to regain the trust of the South African public and attempts to remedy its tarnished image ahead of upcoming elections.

Crafted with intentionality and gravity, Mbeki’s words aim to echo through the annals of the party’s history and spark a transformation towards reformative actions that could restore the ANC’s standing. This story is a significant chapter in South Africa's political narrative, reflecting the deep schisms and the ongoing battle for the soul of the ANC, a party that has long been at the heart of the nation's freedom and democratic pursuit.