By Celani Sikhakhane
ANC and SACP veteran Willies Mchunu has left the ANC after party leaders criticised him for questioning the Government of National Unity (GNU) deal.
In a letter to his ANC branch, the former KZN Premier described the criticism as a “horrific experience”.
Mchunu stated that KZN ANC leaders attacked him after his letter, dated 5 June, was leaked.
“I was told that in one group, ANC leaders called me politically ignorant and said I don’t understand communism. At a PEC meeting, I heard leaders questioning who I was to tell them what to do,” Mchunu wrote.
“I’ve lost hope in the ANC’s commitment to the National Democratic Revolution for the working class and poor. So I am resigning from ANC Ethekwini Ward 33 Branch.”
Mchunu said that while he accepted the disagreements, the personal attacks were painful. He said he had resigned despite his concerns and accepted the situation.
Having joined unions in 1973, Mchunu became KZN Premier in 2013. Earlier this year, he unsuccessfully tried to dissuade Jacob Zuma from voting for MK.
ANC KZN Secretary Bheki Mtolo responded to Mchunu, remarking on the irony of his decision to leave the ANC over the current GNU when he didn’t do so during the first GNU, which included the apartheid-era National Party under then-president FW de Klerk.
“If my memory serves me well, subject to correction, the GNU between 1994 and 1999, in particular, had parties like the National Party, which, from at least 1948, was responsible for the most murders and torture of many of our comrades,” said Mtolo.
“The National Party worsened the situation of colonialism of a special type, as you know it. The National Party introduced and entrenched Bantu education, among many atrocities. This GNU happened under an ANC that won the national elections.”
Attempts to reach Mchunu by phone were unsuccessful.
Pictured above: Former KZN Premier and ANC/SACP stalwart Willies Mchunu resigned from the ANC with immediate effect.
Source: X
