LISTEN: Mantashe says Mbalula must ‘count every word’ amid fury over Nkandla remarks
ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe says the party's secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, went too far in his remarks on the Nkandla saga and the support provided to former president Jacob Zuma.
Mbalula has come under fire for saying the governing party lied to Parliament in defence of former president Jacob Zuma during the fallout over the controversial upgrades to his Nkandla home in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mbalula made the remarks whilst speaking to ANC members at the Cadres Forum at Mjindi Town Hall in Barberton in Mpumalanga on Sunday.
The party is hosting a series of events in the province before its 112th birthday rally at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday morning, Mantashe said the matter would be addressed internally.
"I listened very well to what the secretary general said. I think he got carried away by you guys with your cameras (the media) and said something that he shouldn't have said. To me, it’s an issue that we will have to deal with internally that when you lead, you count every word you say. If you don't you will catch fire, and that is something you will learn in the trade as you grow."
Mbalula's remarks came a month after Zuma announced his intention to campaign for the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe party instead of the ANC ahead of the 2024 general elections.
He has been on a campaign trail for the newly formed MK party.
Mbalula said the ANC has always tolerated and stood by Zuma's side.
"We defended former president Zuma. We even went to Parliament and said a swimming pool is a fire pool. The police minister was sweating because it is difficult to explain a lie... People have lost their careers because of that thing.
"The Constitutional Court, led by former chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, released a scathing judgement against Zuma, but the ANC stood by him. Today, Zuma says he can’t stand President Cyril Ramaphosa, who doesn't even have any court judgements against him."
Mbalula said the ANC will still approach the courts to reclaim the uMkhonto weSizwe name, and would soon announce its decision on Zuma's decision to endorse another political organisation while he still holds ANC membership.
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