Khoza labels Dlamini's Manana comments 'astounding'

In a statement, Khoza says she has had time to reflect on the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma. 

She was one of several ANC MPs who indicated that they would "vote with their conscience" in support of the motion. This in spite of warnings by ANC leaders that those who sided with opposition parties would face serious consequences. 

It is believed that some 30 ANC MP's voted in favour of the motion, which took place by way of a secret ballot.  

Despite this, Khoza has expressed disappointment that most ANC MPs voted to keep Zuma in power. 

"As proud as I am of these MPs the truth is that there is little cause for celebration. In those voting booths, we were all confronted with the same choice, to choose between right and wrong. To choose between self-enrichment and the service of our people. Unfortunately, the majority chose to endorse the steady and relentless destruction of the ANC. 

"The majority chose to continue the reign of a kleptocracy that has brought our once mighty and revered ANC to its knees. The ANC is a shadow of its former self and while political parties must change and grow with time, we have gravely erred by losing our moral compass. Once again, our party chose to side with a President who has consistently failed to uphold, defend and respect the constitution," Khoza says in the statement. 

She believes the outcome of the vote is proof that most ANC MPs will choose to defend an "immoral leader".  

Khoza says the fact that the party is preparing to take action against MPs who voted for what they believed in, while at the same time refusing to take action against deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana, shows how far the party has veered from its course. 

"I am accused of extreme ill-discipline and the condemnation of me by the party was swift and unequivocal. No time was wasted in charging me but interestingly, men whom have similarly criticised the leader of our party remain untouched. We have a Deputy Minister within our ranks who has admitted to having assaulted a woman and yet he's not been suspended from his position nor has the party initiated any disciplinary action against him. 

"Even the ANC Women's League has chosen not to call for the Deputy Minister's removal, with the astoundingly insulting argument from the League's president that there are others within government that are '…actually worse than him'. This from the leader of the Women's League in Women's Month. The callousness of the statement is astonishing.  

"The ANC's application of disciplinary action not just inconsistent, it appears to be largely informed by how badly you've annoyed the most powerful. Action is taken decidedly quicker if you're a woman, except of course if you're the woman on the receiving end of the beating." 

Manana has been charged with assault in connection with an incident involving two women in Fourways, but is yet to face any disciplinary action.    

"These are the kinds of things that have weakened and continue to weaken our movement. We are not weakened by me speaking out against corruption and patronage. We are weakened when our leaders choose to shut down their critics. We are weakened when currying favour becomes our currency and when those who break the law are literally given back doors and gentler treatment to spare egos," Khoza says.