A former African National Congress and critic of President Zuma has urged South Africans to support the Government of National Unity. Derek Hanekom, a former ANC Cabinet minister says he is one of the huge number of South Africans who view the newly formed Government of National Unity as a positive development .

In an interview with National Security News, Mr Hanekon, said it was vital for South Africa to be united behind this initiative and he urged his fellow citizens “to make our voices heard against those who don’t want it to work.”  He said the new GNU should be vigilant about the Umkhonto weSizwe Party of Jacob Zuma whom he described as the “Chief Crook.”  Regarding South Africa’s foreign policy, Hanekom did not expect any changes under the new GNU.

Looting beneficiaries and individuals at risk of incarceration pin their hopes on ‘Chief Crook’ Zuma

Commenting on threats by former President Jacob Zuma against the Constitution, courts, and the new Government of National Unity, which Zuma labelled as a “white-led unholy alliance between the DA and the ANC of Ramaphosa,” Hanekom remarked that Zuma has been making “hollow threats” for a long time, including during his tenure as ANC President when he threatened to “come out with the truth” but never did. He sees desperation in Zuma’s speech and notes that other beneficiaries of the 2021 looting or those facing prison sentences place their hope in Zuma.

Hanekom expressed bewilderment at people aligning with someone who openly defies South Africa’s constitution and is implicated in various wrongdoings. “There can’t be any kind of honest recognition of his credentials, credibility, or integrity. It can’t be possible.”

New GNU should be vigilant, threats should not stop progress

Hanekom stressed the importance of the GNU being prepared for incidents, emphasising the role of crime intelligence. “We know that the authorities are aware of who the past instigators are and who are making threats now. Watch them very carefully, watch developments very carefully.”

He called on the police to remain on high alert but insisted that the threats from the MK Party and Zuma should not hinder the country’s progress. “We must be confident that we’re on the right track, and no threats should stop us or get in the way of moving ahead,” he said.

Zuma called me an enemy agent, “he labels very loosely,” but he’s on flimsy ground 

Addressing Zuma’s threats to expose “white agents” allegedly planning to revert South Africa to apartheid, Hanekom dismissed these threats, noting the many baseless rumours about who are agents. 

“Jacob Zuma called me an enemy agent, and he had to withdraw and apologise by court order because he had no evidence. So, he labels people very loosely, not just white people, but black and white, etc., whoever stands in his way.”

Hanekom also mentioned Zuma’s harsh criticism of President Ramaphosa and former President Thabo Mbeki. “But he’s on flimsy ground. He knows he’s on flimsy ground. He’s got no basis whatsoever to make these claims,” he said. 

Funding for Zuma’s MKP: Undoubtedly from Ill-Gotten Gain

The MKP, he said is undoubtedly well-funded, frequently taking matters to court and running campaigns “ no matter how often they lose, there’s always money for court action and there’s money for campaigns.”  He questioned the source of this funding, stating, “Some of the money is from ill-gotten gains. I have no doubt about that whatsoever in my mind.”

Regarding the MKP’s initial boycott of the House of Assembly, Hanekom noted their inconsistency but believes they seek their parliamentary privileges. “They weren’t going to go to parliament, and then they went to parliament. They want their parliamentary salaries and perks. They’ve decided not to be part of the government of national unity. There’s no unity within that party itself,” he said.

New GNU situation is very different from 1994 GNU, there are a lot of commonalities

The differences between the political parties that were involved in a Government of National Unity in 1994, he said are not the same as those of 1994. “I think there is a lot of commonality. There are a lot of common policies, Hanekom said and the arrangement allows for acceptance of policy differences. 

“The very well-crafted statement of intent, and the statement of intent, binds the parties that are part of the government, the government of national unity, and they pinpoint the very challenges that we have address together if we’re going to deal with these high levels of unemployment, crime, and all the things that make South Africans less than satisfied.” 

South Africa’s foreign policy will not change under new GNU

“I don’t believe there will be any change” on foreign policy, Hanekom remarked. It should according to him never be stated arrogantly but the ANC, with 40% of the vote,  came in with almost twice as many votes as any other party, including the DA. He emphasised that the ANC should not be inflexible, but said that in some cases, the ANC has very strong-held views, such as those on Palestine and Western Sahara and that won’t change.