Opinion / Columnist
A coup in South Africa if Ramaphosa fires General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi
3 hrs ago |
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Botswana's President is deeply concerned about an imminent coup in South Africa. The revelations from General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi's commission - unpacking the rot in councils and government institutions - have serious repercussions not only for South Africa but for the entire SADC region. Political upheavals of this nature are contagious. If South Africa burns, neighbouring countries will feel the heat. Botswana will struggle to cope with a refugee influx should a coup erupt.
South Africa stands at the precipice. A coup is imminent. If President Ramaphosa fires General Mkwanazi as Head of the Police Department, the consequences will be dire. Black communities - those most affected by the ANC's systemic failures - will rise and demand the return of people's power. That's how collapsed and dire the situation has become.
Since taking office, Ramaphosa has launched several commissions. None have yielded results. They all fizzled out like fog in the rain. The Mkwanazi Commission is expected to suffer the same fate - because it implicates Ramaphosa himself. His nephew, Hangwani Morgen Maumela, allegedly swindled R2 billion from hospital procurement funds.
This isn't about millions - it's about billions stolen by individuals living lifestyles unimaginable by common sense. Whistleblowers who tried to expose corruption in municipal departments were eliminated. Not one or two, but potentially over 120 individuals have been shot dead to silence them. Others have fled the country for safety.
Maumela's theft is one of the most excruciating scandals in post-apartheid South Africa. The R2 billion looted from Tembisa Hospital was meant for COVID-19 relief. Because of this diversion, thousands died due to lack of medical resources. The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) confirmed the theft.
With the loot, Maumela bought villas - including one in Sandton worth R20 million - and four luxury cars, three of them Lamborghinis. These cars had mileage records of just 500 km, evidence of recent purchases. SIU also discovered R900 million in his bank account, linked to a network of criminal syndicates.
Ramaphosa now claims he doesn't know Maumela - despite living just two kilometres apart in Sandton. Meanwhile, the millions stashed in sofas and mattresses at his Phala Phala farm remain unaccounted for.
Those who once framed Nigerians as the continent's criminal masterminds must think again. Compared to South African corruption, Zimbabwe's Zvigananda are saints.
Maumela's crimes are just the tip of the iceberg. Consider the R22 million flag project proposed by former Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa. He wanted to erect a 100-metre-high South African flag at Freedom Park in Pretoria - arguing that France has the Eiffel Tower and America has the Statue of Liberty. But this colonial mimicry undermines South Africa's independence.
Public outcry forced Mthethwa to retract the project. He claimed it was part of a broader Monumental Project - but the damage was done. His death is symbolic of the deep corruption plaguing the country. South Africa has no leadership. It is run by criminal syndicates with more power than the state.
The criminality is convoluted - like spaghetti. It's hard to untangle. General Mkwanazi must be commended for his intellect and bravery. His courage is extraordinary. He is a man among men. It won't be easy to "unalive" someone of his stature - but in South Africa, nothing is impossible.
After weeks of testimony, the dots are still difficult to connect. We are only scratching the surface. The disturbing question remains: what's next? Ramaphosa will be asked to testify about the cash in his house - and why it wasn't in a bank. He protects criminals. Will he go to jail? He should.
Now that General Mkwanazi has completed his testimony under oath, the nation waits. Alternative media outlets are buzzing. The people are saying: enough is enough. It's clear now that the ANC was never about freedom for all - only for those in power.
Mugabe once told the ANC: "So you fought to remove apartheid only?" That statement was telling.
The ANC can work with capitalists and communists alike - because it lacks ideology. The Freedom Charter chills in Kliptown, mocking the residents who live in poverty. It's not far-fetched to say that factions within the army and police are regrouping. One day, they may revolt and take power from the ANC.
The ANC doesn't see the danger. They believe they still hold a majority in parliament.
And when crisis hits, migrants are scapegoated. Operation Dudula must go after real Zvigananda - not the migrants living on the fringes of capitalist South Africa.
South Africa stands at the precipice. A coup is imminent. If President Ramaphosa fires General Mkwanazi as Head of the Police Department, the consequences will be dire. Black communities - those most affected by the ANC's systemic failures - will rise and demand the return of people's power. That's how collapsed and dire the situation has become.
Since taking office, Ramaphosa has launched several commissions. None have yielded results. They all fizzled out like fog in the rain. The Mkwanazi Commission is expected to suffer the same fate - because it implicates Ramaphosa himself. His nephew, Hangwani Morgen Maumela, allegedly swindled R2 billion from hospital procurement funds.
This isn't about millions - it's about billions stolen by individuals living lifestyles unimaginable by common sense. Whistleblowers who tried to expose corruption in municipal departments were eliminated. Not one or two, but potentially over 120 individuals have been shot dead to silence them. Others have fled the country for safety.
Maumela's theft is one of the most excruciating scandals in post-apartheid South Africa. The R2 billion looted from Tembisa Hospital was meant for COVID-19 relief. Because of this diversion, thousands died due to lack of medical resources. The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) confirmed the theft.
With the loot, Maumela bought villas - including one in Sandton worth R20 million - and four luxury cars, three of them Lamborghinis. These cars had mileage records of just 500 km, evidence of recent purchases. SIU also discovered R900 million in his bank account, linked to a network of criminal syndicates.
Ramaphosa now claims he doesn't know Maumela - despite living just two kilometres apart in Sandton. Meanwhile, the millions stashed in sofas and mattresses at his Phala Phala farm remain unaccounted for.
Those who once framed Nigerians as the continent's criminal masterminds must think again. Compared to South African corruption, Zimbabwe's Zvigananda are saints.
Public outcry forced Mthethwa to retract the project. He claimed it was part of a broader Monumental Project - but the damage was done. His death is symbolic of the deep corruption plaguing the country. South Africa has no leadership. It is run by criminal syndicates with more power than the state.
The criminality is convoluted - like spaghetti. It's hard to untangle. General Mkwanazi must be commended for his intellect and bravery. His courage is extraordinary. He is a man among men. It won't be easy to "unalive" someone of his stature - but in South Africa, nothing is impossible.
After weeks of testimony, the dots are still difficult to connect. We are only scratching the surface. The disturbing question remains: what's next? Ramaphosa will be asked to testify about the cash in his house - and why it wasn't in a bank. He protects criminals. Will he go to jail? He should.
Now that General Mkwanazi has completed his testimony under oath, the nation waits. Alternative media outlets are buzzing. The people are saying: enough is enough. It's clear now that the ANC was never about freedom for all - only for those in power.
Mugabe once told the ANC: "So you fought to remove apartheid only?" That statement was telling.
The ANC can work with capitalists and communists alike - because it lacks ideology. The Freedom Charter chills in Kliptown, mocking the residents who live in poverty. It's not far-fetched to say that factions within the army and police are regrouping. One day, they may revolt and take power from the ANC.
The ANC doesn't see the danger. They believe they still hold a majority in parliament.
And when crisis hits, migrants are scapegoated. Operation Dudula must go after real Zvigananda - not the migrants living on the fringes of capitalist South Africa.
Source - Nomazulu Thata
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