The+Star,+KZN+premier+pelted+in+demo+for+Zuma

The Star, Johannesburg, FRONT PAGE, June 17, 2005
=Mbeki-Zuma row rages on=


 * //‘Down with president’ chanted, KZN premier pelted on heated day//**


 * By Mojalefa Mashego, Jeremy Michaels and Sheena Adams**

They revolted in 1976, and yesterday they did the same, denouncing the president and sending a premier running for cover.

Angry youths in at least two provinces were protesting against the axing of their hero, Jacob Zuma.

Meanwhile Zuma himself signalled he too was ready for a fight, breaking into song at a Youth Day rally in Mpumalanga and expressing every intention to be the next leader of the ANC.

With the war cry “Awu lethe umshushini wami”, translated as “Please bring my machinegun”, he got about 7 000 youths on their feet at a packed rally at Matsulu stadium.

Earlier, he and one of his vocal supporters, ANC Youth League leader Fikile Mbalula, had to rebuke the crowd for chanting anti-Mbeki slogans.

“Phansi ngo Mbeki, Phambili ngo Zuma (Down with Mbeki, up with Zuma)” rang out from the stadium as Zuma did a lap of honour, surrounded by a tight group of security officers and policemen.

“We must not be seen to be dividing the leadership of the ANC,” Zuma said.

“In no way in the meetings of the ANC can we, as the ANC, sing badly about our president. There are channels in the movement.

“If we are not happy with whatever the ANC does, or its leadership (does), let us use these channels… We must maintain unity.”

Mbalula, meanwhile, sang a different tune from the past few weeks, urging the youth not to be misguided and sing songs undermining the ANC leadership.

Mbeki himself had a low-key address at a Youth Day rally in Kimberley, avoiding any reference to the man he chose to fire.

In the heart of Zuma’s traditional support base in KwaZulu Natal, the province’s premier, S’bu Ndebele, was escorted under guard from the stadium – shielded by a table for protection – as apples, oranges and stones were thrown.

Ndebele denied reports that he was pelted by angry supporters of Zuma.

His spokesperson, Harry Mchunu, blamed elements in the crowd for the unruly behaviour.

Sapa reported that the youths had earlier demanded that Zuma address them instead of Ndebele.

They quietened down only after being told that “No matter how loudly they shout, he (Zuma) cannot address them” because he was engaged elsewhere.

In Nelspruit, it was the second instance of fighting talk from Zuma in as many weeks, and it was perceived as a tacit warning that he was prepared to fight for his career in the ANC.

Last week, after Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini pledged his support at a function in Johannesburg, Zuma said “Ngelusa, ngaqhathwa”, viewed by many as a declaration of war – that “the shepherd has been through tough times and can fight and take care of himself".

Yesterday’s swell of support had prevented Zuma from talking for at least five minutes as the crowd chanted his name.

“I am clear in my conscience that I committed no crime. Since I was a youth, when I was in the army, I handled most sensitive things, including huge sums of money, and not a penny was lost.

“I was never corrupt and I will never be,” he said as the crowd cheered wildly.

Zuma again said the media had been “extremely unfair” to him and that he deserved an opportunity in court to tell his side of the story.

He was flanked by Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla, who is said to have a close relationship with Mbeki.

It is thought the show of solidarity was timed to coincide with the ANC’s provincial conference in Mpumalanga at the weekend.

If Makwetla loses his position as party chairperson at the weekend it could be seen as yet another example of the anti-Mbeki sentiment expressed at yesterday’s rally – coming after Mbeki favourite Ebrahim Rasool recently surprisingly lost the chairmanship of the Western Cape ANC to James Ngculu.

The Youth Day rally in Kimberley attended by Mbeki was a calm affair in comparison with the one attended by Zuma in Nelspruit. There were, however, reports of youths brandishing “100% Zuma” placards before the president arrived.

An Independent Newspapers photographer reported that a young man who shouted “Viva Jacob Zuma” when Mbeki stepped up to the podium was led away by marshals.

A snap survey by Independent Newspapers found that while opinions varied over whether Mbeki should have fired Zuma, most people respected Mbeki’s decision.

ANCYL member Nothi Hugo (24), from Kimberley, said of Zuma’s axing: “It is not a good thing because JZ is a very good guy – he was not proven guilty and there is a big problem with these guys in the ANC leadership.”

Baitsepi Mosiane, from Jankempdorp, said: “Zuma did many bad things, eish – he must go to jail because, instead of making things right, he makes things worse.”


 * From: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=128&fArticleId=2561482