Numsa talking nonsense: ANCYL

"We call on those who made such unfortunate calls to hold their horses and they should not get ahead of themselves," African National Congress Youth League spokesman Bandile Masuku said in a statement.

 

"They should await the release of the Public Protector findings before they make such nonsensical pronouncements," he said. On Tuesday, during a special national congress, National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) acting president Andrew Chirwa asked members to consider calling on Zuma to resign. 

 

"Should we not ask our own President Jacob Zuma, who benefited from this saga, to resign in the interest of the poor?" he asked.

 

He was referring to the over R206 million security upgrade to Zuma's private homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.

 

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is due to release a final report on the spending soon.

 

Masuku said calls like Numsa's were "short-cuts and short-circuiting" democracy. People should wait until the elections to indicate their political preferences.

 

"We view such calls as publicity stunts and attention seeking behaviour."

 

Masuku said Zuma was being persecuted by the media and unscrupulous individuals. The ANCYL would stand with him "all the way" to the 2014 national elections.

 

"The ANC Youth League believes President Jacob Zuma has done a sterling job."

 

-Sapa