Mbalula Wants ANC to Defend Mantashe After Members Allegedly Criticised Him Over Response to Energy Transition

• ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has come to the defence of Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe
• Mbalula said Mantashe complained that some ANC members were attacking him for defending the use of coal as SA's main energy source
• The SG took aim at ANC stalwart Derek Hanekom for openly criticising the energy minister

JOHANNESBURG - The Secretary-General of the African National Congress (ANC) Fikile Mbalula wants ANC members to close ranks around Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe.

Mantashe allegedly confided in the SG claiming that some party members criticised him for defending the use of coal as South Africa's main power source.

The energy minister is a strong proponent of continuing to generate power from coal amid a push for a shift to renewable energy in the nation.

In fact, Mantashe last year insisted that coal would remain king in South Africa, in direct opposition to President Cyril Ramaphosa's bid to transition the country's energy mix, News24 reported.

Read also

ANC KZN supports Ramaphosa’s call for Eskom not to implement tariff hike, threatening to take utility to court

According to Mbalula, Mantashe complained that people were after him and seemed as though he had no hope. The SG added that Manstahe was under attack from liberals who are using the energy issue to disparage the energy minister.

The ANC secretary-general singled out the former tourism minister and ANC stalwart Derek Hanekom for being vocal with his opinions about Mantashe's response to the just energy transition, TimesLIVE reported.

In reference to Hanekom, Mbalula said:

‘This is how you want to thank us in retirement, that you have an opinion about Mantashe?"

South Africans react to Mbalula defence of Gwede Mantashe

Citizens weighed in on Mbalula's call to protect Mantashe on social media. Here are some comments.

@Ntobek0 claimed:

"Mantashe or no Mantashe, coal is part of the energy solution in the SA context, not just during this crisis."

Read also

Former ANC SG Ace Magashule loses influence in the Free State after election of new ANC chairperson

@02nyc1 commented:

"Mantashe needs to retire."

@Koketso29683592 added:

"Mbalula is singing for his supper."

@ShaunLamberg stated:

"Why, he is the reason we are in this mess, time to take ownership and own up to your failures or hand over the reins to someone that is competent. Not difficult."

@Feikemanagement posted:

"If you vote ANC, you are a direct threat to this country."

ANC begins processes for Paul Mashatile to take over as South Africa’s next deputy president

In another story, Briefly News reported that the Deputy President of the African National Congress Paul Mashatile is well on his way to taking over as Deputy President of South Africa.

This comes after the ruling party's national officials decided that Mashatile must head back to work in parliament after he left the government to take up the position of treasurer-general of Luthuli House.

According to SABC News, the ANC's provincial structure in Gauteng has rearranged its province to national list so that the deputy president can be sworn in as a member of parliament.

Source: Briefly News