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Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association National Council would like to express its confidence and support for its National Chairperson, General Siphiwe Nyanda, and  the former Minister, and ex MK combatant, Comrade Ngoako Ramatlhodi, amid the irresponsible and spurious allegations levelled against them by Comrade Jacob Zuma at the Justice Zondo led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on State Capture.

We view Cde Zuma’s allegations as irresponsible outbursts from a person who is obfuscating and ducking in attempts to avoid speaking the truth to assist the work of the commission. The commission has been occasioned by the report of the Public Protector to out the truth on the Gupta family influence on the state, during Cde Zuma’s presidency. Therefore its work is predicated upon that important specific mandate.

The conduct of Cde Zuma to make unsubstantiated allegations to besmirch comrades instead of addressing issues before the commission is unfortunate. However, the conduct, seemingly follow a particular behavioural pattern on his part, which is characterized by a worrying inclination to lie to save his own skin. This conduct has been gaining momentum as his trademark since he was initially released from the Deputy Presidency position of the country on the 14th June 2005.

It has also seemingly become a trend amongst others who view themselves as his supporters in the manner they have recently found it easy to make counter revolutionary statements, alleging acts that put the name of the African National Congress in disrepute. They commit these blatant acts of counter revolution, with their eyes and hands deep in the coffers of the nation. We therefore call upon all members of the ANC, especially former combatants of MK, as disciplined cadre of the movement to refrain from hurting the ANC further through irresponsible, malicious and unsubstantiated statements.

It is our assertion that the enemy is in our ranks and doing its bit to divide the movement, sow suspicion and discredit cadres who stand at the beachhead of the forces that are committed to the renewal and the rebuilding of the ANC. We therefore state without any doubt that General Nyanda and former Minister, Cde Ramatlhodi are revolutionaries and there is no way they could have been, or are part of what Cde Zuma alleges.

Issued by MKMVA NC