A wave of unease has washed over observers of the urgent tea party hosted by former president Jacob Zuma and EFF leader Julius Malema.
Tony Yengeni rumoured to be part of ‘tea party’
Discarded from the political symposium, journalists watched on from behind the fences of Nkandla, as Malema, accompanied by EFF spokesperson Vuyani Pambo, Advocate Dali Mpofu and ANC Ekurhuleni commander Mzwandile Masina, was escorted from the helipad to the former president’s quarters in a motorcade.
More revelations have come forward, indicating that also in attendance is ANC NEC member Tony Yengeni. Although, in the footage seen on social media, he was not spotted.
#ZumaMalema @MYANC NEC member @tyengeni1954 is also here for the “Tea meeting”, he was in the Chopper with @Julius_S_Malema @mzwandileMasina and @vuyanipambo. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/OZChYhlFkX
— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) February 5, 2021
ANC leaves Zuma in a lurch amid heightened SCI pressure
Yengeni is a staunch supporter of the Zuma era and has, on numerous occasions, publicly voiced his disapproval of President Cyril Ramaphosa. His checkered past speaks for itself.
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Nxamalala has made his chess move..its Zondo,s move now..Checkmate is not far off..! pic.twitter.com/AKSa28QVY0
— Tornado..Veteran 102 (@tyengeni1954) February 1, 2021
However, questions remain if his inclusion in the ‘tea party’ was authorised by the ANC.
The ruling party has, at least through the actions of its leaders, taken a step away from the former president and his woes. Ramaphosa has yet to make a public statement on Zuma’s threats of defiance.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula called out the hypocrisy of the former president in a captionless tweet that showed Zuma, on the day he announced the launch of the commission of inquiry into state capture, pleading with those implicated in corruption to obey and respect the duties of the judiciary and DCJ Raymond Zondo.
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) February 3, 2021
Former deputy minister of science and technology Derek Hanekom also shared his discontent publicly, criticising Malema of the irony in holding talks with ‘”an enemy agent”.
What a joke! The man who called me an enemy agent for having coffee with Godrich Gardee now invites the President of the EFF to his home for tea! https://t.co/Ks8MkEJSS6
— Derek Hanekom (@Derek_Hanekom) February 3, 2021
The ANC had not issued a statement on the non-partisan gathering at the time this article was published. We do, however, expect a word from Nkandla once the ‘tea party’ concludes.
