Ex-President Jacob Zuma and then-Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa smile during a question and answer session in the National Assembly on March 17, 2016 in Cape Town South Africa. Regarding his relationship with the Guptas, Zuma said, no ministers or deputy ministers were appointed by the Gupta family – Photo: Gallo Images / Beeld / Nasief Manie).
Ex-President Jacob Zuma and then-Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa smile during a question and answer session in the National Assembly on March 17, 2016 in Cape Town South Africa. Regarding his relationship with the Guptas, Zuma said, no ministers or deputy ministers were appointed by the Gupta family – Photo: Gallo Images / Beeld / Nasief Manie).
Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa have seen their relationship sour over the past 18 months. T
That was the title given to Ramaphosa’s bid to become the ANC leader. He had a tight battle against Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – JZ’s preferred candidate – but ultimately emerged victorious as the man who would be president. Just two months after getting the party’s nod, Cyril helped to push Zuma out of office.
Cyril Ramaphosa’s campaign preached the ideals of unity within the party. But, as outlined by a report into the intelligence service commissioned by the president and compiled by former Minister Sydney Mufamadi, there was certainly no team spirit from Zuma’s side.
It has been revealed that Msholozi instructed operatives of the State Security Agency (SSA) to help limit the reach of CR17, by clamping down on the campaign’s promotion plans: Directives to “impede” the distribution of pro-Cyril regalia and prevent his supporters from travelling to certain events have surfaced in this eye-opening document.
It’s 127 pages long, but this is one of the stand-out revelations. It’s also been stated that Jacob Zuma used approximately R20 million of public funds to try and influence the 2017 leadership campaign in his favour, but even this alleged act of corruption wasn’t enough to put NDZ in charge.
In fact, Zuma’s willingness to manipulate the SSA for his own gain has been laid bare. The panel report also found:
It’s understood that Jacob Zuma first began his anti-Cyril endeavours shortly after the ANC’s birthday celebrations on 8 January 2016. Counter-operations were apparently launched following the event in Rustenburg, North West, as the former president fought desperately to maintain his clout within the party.