ANC likely to be punished in elections for Zandile Gumede move: analyst
There's no rational reason for the African National Congress (ANC) to redeploy corruption-accused Zandile Gumede to the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, according to a political analyst.
"I am also disappointed with the argument that she is innocent until proven guilty. That might be true in law, but it also shows that the ethical base of the ANC has eroded significantly," says Imraan Buccus.
eThekwini's former mayor was sworn in as an MPL in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday and took over KZN ANC spokesperson Ricardo Mthembu's seat - who died after he'd contracted COVID-19 earlier this year.
Gumede and her co-accused are facing fraud and corruption charges relating to a multi-million Rand Durban Solid Waste tender dating back to 2016.
Buccus finds the ANC's decision baffling.
"The sad reality is that we, as a society, must carry the cost of the ANC containing its own renegades.
"That means we reach a situation that we must pay for the cost of someone like Zandile Gumede, and then she goes on to make the decisions at the cost of society.
READ: Political parties react to Zandile Gumede's redeployment
"She will go on to perpetuate tenders and corruption in the position in which she is going to be.
"Clearly, this means that as a society in the upcoming elections, there's a great chance that the ANC will be punished for this kind of behaviour."
