Youth League defends president and Molefe

Amid growing concerns over President Jacob Zuma’s fitness to hold office‚ the ANC Youth League has come out in his defence‚ saying Zuma will remain in his position until his term ends.

“President Zuma is the president and all of us in the ANC support him until next year when his term ends‚” Youth League president Collen Maine said yesterday.

This comes as several organisations and individuals have joined the call for Zuma to step down.

Businessman Sipho Pityana‚ the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution‚ former finance minister Trevor Manuel‚ Ahmed Kathrada Foundation chief executive Shan Bolton‚ and one of the Occupy Luthuli House organisers, Gugu Ndima‚ are just some of the Save South Africa steering committee members dismayed over Zuma’s leadership.

Last week‚ Save SA pushed ahead with the march in Pretoria with the aim of “addressing the acute social crisis that has been brought about by corruption‚ mismanagement and political intrigue”.

The Youth League also came out in support of embattled Eskom chief executive Brian Molefe.

National spokesman Mlondi Mkhize said the league had full confidence in Molefe, despite his being implicated in the State of Capture report released last week by the office of the public protector.

“We reaffirm our support for comrade Brian Molefe and the management team he leads‚” Mkhize said.

“He remained a shining diamond that represents black excellency.”

The league also launched another attack on former public protector Thuli Madonsela.

“Now that she’s resting‚ may she rest in peace‚” Mkhize said.

He urged new public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to be cautious.