JOHANNESBURG, August 26 (ANA)- The ANC Youth League has lambasted former director general of foreign affairs Sipho Pityana for his scathing attack on the ANC leadership delivered during former Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile’s funeral.
The league said Pityana was “disruptive and unruly†when, he in his tribute to Stofile at the funeral service on Thursday, he tore into President Jacob Zuma and the ruling party.
“In a case of any advice being sought to be given, we expect such to be done in a comradely and respectful manner. These comrades, who chose a funeral service to vent their anger and frustration, should have known better that African value systems and customs do not allow this, no matter how one seeks to please his fellow counter-revolutionaries,†the organisation said on Friday.
“We never expected Sipho Pityana to stoop so low. If Sipho Pityana was a looter or loots (sic) he should not go around branding everyone else as such. If Sipho Pityana genuinely suspects anyone of contravening the law, he should report such to law enforcement agencies.â€
Pityana came out with guns blazing and accused the ANC national executive committee of allowing corruption and cronyism to reign, and called on President Jacob Zuma to resign. Pityana contrasted Zuma’s condict with Stofile’s brand of leadership, saying the latter would not have have built himself a “R250 million extravaganza amidst the sea of poverty†years back when he was Eastern Cape premier, a clear reference to Zuma’s private homestead in Nkandla which swallowed more than R200 million in public funds during a security upgrade.
“Our setbacks are self-inflicted, we have ceded our moral high ground to the opponents. We say we are a party of the Constitution… and we have a right to do so, but many doubt it because we give them reasons to do so. For no less than the president our country takes every opportunity to show nothing but disdain and contempt for our Constitution,†Pityana said to loud applause from mourners.
Present at the funeral service were former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and cabinet ministers who included Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Ncqakula.
Pityana said he wrote his speech with Zuma in mind.
“If the president was here, I would have pleaded with him, begged him, prayed and said my leader, Msholozi, Nxamalala please resign. The next battle cannot be led by a leader that has humiliated our organisation and undermined everything we represent,†he continued to more cheers from those gathered to lay to rest the ANC veteran.
Pityana said the decision by the ANC NEC to say they were “responsible as a collective†for its setback was not enough.
“That fell short…that is not good enough. A person who takes responsibility falls on his sword.â€
– African News Agency (ANA)
