PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 11: Former Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel testifies about the arms deal before the Seriti Commission on June 11, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. Manuel said spending in the so-called arms deal was within the Parliament-approved budget and no separate money was allocated for the purchase. President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission in 2011 to investigate alleged corruption in the multi-billion rand deal. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Lisa Hnatowicz)
‘I will not apologise’: Trevor Manuel responds to ANC criticism
The ANC slammed Trevor Manuel, on Monday, for his alleged comments regarding three decades being wasted since 1994.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 11: Former Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel testifies about the arms deal before the Seriti Commission on June 11, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. Manuel said spending in the so-called arms deal was within the Parliament-approved budget and no separate money was allocated for the purchase. President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission in 2011 to investigate alleged corruption in the multi-billion rand deal. (Photo by Gallo Images / Foto24 / Lisa Hnatowicz)
There has been quite a bit of controversy between the African National Congress (ANC), and former NEC member and finance minister Trevor Manuel, in recent days.
It all started when Manuel was quoted by News24 as referring to the ANC’s period in office since 1994 as “almost three decades that were wasted”.
The ANC, after reading the article, released a statement about Manuel’s comments, saying it wasn’t necessary to paint a “doom-laden picture” of the country and the media.
MANUEL RESPONDS TO THE ANC
On Tuesday 25 August one day after the ANC’s statement, Manuel in an interview with SAFM, said he would not apologise for his comments and referred to 10 wasted years rather than 30.
“I will not apologise for the basic premise which is 10 wasted years and we can track that. Ahead of the 10 wasted years and ahead of Polokwane you can see what happened in the economy, there was growth, there was employment creation. The lives of South Africans were improving, but it is not possible to say that and talk about 30 wasted years as though there is no contradiction,” he said.
Manuel also said he was not contacted by the ANC before the statement was released, nor was he contacted by the journalist who initially wrote the story. Nevertheless, he said he would not apologise for his comments about 10 years being wasted, particularly in the era of former president Jacob Zuma.
Referring to corruption and the controversial redeployment of Zandile Gumede, he said there is no way a politician can go about their duties whilst being accused of wrongdoing.
RULING PARTY URGES FORMER FINANCE MINISTER NOT TO FALL INTO THE TRAP
On Monday in a statement, the ANC urged Manuel not to fall into the trap. It said:
“We are painfully aware of an ongoing onslaught against our movement being desperately choreographed on various social media platforms and urge Manuel not to fall into this trap,” it said.
The party said that taken at face value, Manuel’s utterances could loosely imply that the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality started in 1994.
The party said attributing economic challenges and social illness that confront South Africa today, to the post-1994 government alone, is a betrayal of reality.
“We urge all peace-loving South Africans, including Manuel, to use appropriate platforms including their expertise and experience gained over a period of time to bring about ideas that will help shape our economy for the better. Forging a new social compact requires that we all work together united in our diversity,” it said.
