Jacob Zuma finally responds to Cyril Ramaphosa’s 9 wasted years utterances

Former president Jacob Zuma speaking at his book launch in Durban on Friday. Photo by Willem Phungula

Former president Jacob Zuma speaking at his book launch in Durban on Friday. Photo by Willem Phungula

Published Dec 8, 2022

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Durban — Former president Jacob Zuma said the “nine wasted years” utterances by President Cyril Ramaphosa was a false narrative that had to be responded to through a book so that it must remain in the minds of the people longer.

Zuma was speaking at the recent Durban launch of his book, titled Jacob Zuma Speaks, co-authored by Zululand deputy vice-chancellor Professor Sipho Seepe and Kim Heller, with contributions by JG Foundation chairperson Dudu Myeni.

Advocate Dali Mpofu introducing former president Jacob Zuma during Zuma's book launch in Durban on Friday. Picture: Willem Phungula

He said he was taken aback by what the president had said, given that he was part of everything that happened in those nine years, as deputy president. Zuma said Ramaphosa was the best person to tell the people what the government had done during those nine years since he was his deputy.

“I did not mind being criticised after leaving government because it is common everywhere that when the president has left office he would be criticised, but I never expected to be criticised by the person who was my deputy.

“I initially thought I should ignore this and let it go. I would have not bothered to respond if it was said by an ordinary person or some journalist because I would assume that person did not know what he was saying but because it was the country’s number two, I felt I should respond to him to correct the false narrative this had created in society that for nine years I did nothing as president,” Zuma said.

He thought of responding through a statement and talking, but realised it would not be enough since people would forget a few days later, so he felt he should put his response in a book which people would refer to for years.

Zuma said he also wanted to respond before he died because in heaven he would have a problem when Oliver Tambo asked what happened.

Speaking at an ANC Youth League event in Philippi, Zuma also claimed Ramaphosa is a spy working with the CIA. He said there was a letter written by the uMkonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association that requested suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule to investigate these claims.

“We have a president who has admitted in public that he was not elected because a majority of comrades elected him to be the president and that he bought the position of president of the ANC. He has admitted that he bought the position of ANC president in the commission. He only denied the amount of money he paid. Therefore, he is a spy,” Zuma said.

Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and Michael Sifunda, who is late minister in the presidency Collins Chabane’s nephew, were among the guests that attended former president Jacob Zuma’s book launch. Picture: Willem Phungula

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