Tshwarelo Hunter Mogakane
Pretoria - A “revolutionary” ANC document – once believed to be a coup dossier aimed at toppling President Cyril Ramaphosa and the entire leadership of the ruling party two years ago – has resurfaced.
The document, attributed to retired military generals and linked to uMkhonto weSizwe’s last military intelligence chief, General Maomela “Mojo” Motau, was shared at the weekend as 4 000+ ANC delegates prepare for the ANC’s 55th national conference at Nasrec.
The document, titled “ANC Turnaround Strategy 2025: Changing the Course of History,” said the ANC leadership needed to be dissolved in favour of a national task team made up of anti-neo-colonialism volunteers.
In late 2020, chaos nearly broke out when ANC leaders caught whiff of what was termed the ANC Cadre Summit, intended to convince military staff and uMkhonto weSizwe veterans that something needed to be done to change the fortunes of the ANC.
At the time, SANDF military chief General Solly Shoke, warned army members not to attend the summit.
Eventually, General Motau resolved the summit leaders would meet the ANC Top Six to discuss their resolutions. It is unclear what happened at the proposed meeting. “The summit proceeded under a threat of confrontation after the SANDF chief supported by the Deputy Defence Minister issued a very inflaming statement suggesting the summit was a camouflaged planning for a coup and warned SANDF personnel to stay away from it.
“That (move) infuriated ANC cadres in the Defence Force. Some cadres, not serving in the security forces stayed away fearing possible conflict around the venue,” reads the document.
Among the issues raised in the document was the changing world order and its consequences on South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and Africa.
“The ANC is caught in crisis. We are facing a crisis of unimaginable intensity and proportions … that demands of us to hold back the ANC from taking a step into a political precipice … We cannot risk taking that fatal step … ”
Among the steps proposed was mass action, stopping courts from making laws instead of enforcing them, reviewing contracts with countries taking advantage of South Africa’s resources, and ensuring those leading the government are servants of the people.
“The directions the movement is taking the country and our people are suspect. The courts of law have usurped the functions of government and Parliament. Individuals can use courts to overrule the majority,” they wrote.
Short of mentioning embarking on a revolution, the summit concluded a radical approach towards the political shift envisaged. “Extraordinary measures are required …”
The summit concluded that the ANC should be placed under administration and a national task team should take charge of running ANC affairs, the summit resolved.
Neither ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe nor the party’s treasurer-general and acting secretary-general Paul Mashatile were able to respond to questions on the explosive document.
Pretoria News