“Do not use funerals to fuel division” - Pres Zuma

“It is wrong to use funerals of deceased comrades or memorial services to get at your political enemies,” Pres Jacob Zuma said on Saturday, during the unveiling ceremony of the tombstone of the late minister Collins Chabane at Xikundu.

Addressing thousands of ANC supporters, Zuma said people who are dead are no longer speaking for themselves. “Yet there are those who have started a wrong culture of using funerals to perpetuate ANC division.”

He said he was happy that did not happen at Xikundu. Zuma described Chabane as “my son, my younger brother.” He narrated how Chabane was recruited into Umkhonto we Sizwe with others including the late Peter Mokaba. He added that the late Chabane had the qualities that fitted his role as an MK cadre impeccably. “He had unique qualities and was quiet,” said Zuma. He said that Chabane grew up in the ANC and grew up to become “a giant amongst giants” of the party.

Several speakers praised Zuma for attending the unveiling ceremony at a time he was under attack from several quarters. Hosi Lwandlamuni Nwamitwa, who represented Vatsonga Machangana, said that the president is a man of the people, who is always available when they request a meeting with him.

Chabane’s tombstone was unveiled at the Xakani burial site near Magomani. Zuma was accompanied by Premier Chupu Mathabatha, cabinet ministers Joe Maswanganyi and Faith Muthambi, as well ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize.

Date:14 April 2017

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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