Eliminate all resistance

[garthu]

This country does not have time or space for these two to start having a go each other. We all pay the price when they waste time here.

I really do disapprove HZ puns and actions - this isn't going to anyone good. She has lost alot of my support, i really don't consider this a leaders actions! A strenuous 4 years of politics! We'll have loads to talk about though...

[Dave A]

You make a good point, Sean. Helen should learn from JZ and leave the childish goading to the youth leagues. As a leader of a sector of government, she needs to demonstrate positive leadership. The days of scoring cheap shots are over for her now.

[Dave A]

Here is how you do it:

The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday distanced itself from what it called the ANC Youth League's "deeply embarrassing" attack on Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille.

"The African National Congress distances itself from comments by an ANC Youth League spokesperson yesterday [May 12 2009] about DA leader Helen Zille and her provincial Cabinet," Mantashe said in a statement.

He said the ruling party strongly objected to Zille's criticism of President Jacob Zuma's sexual conduct that on Tuesday triggered a war of words, but could not tolerate the ANCYL's outburst.
full story from M&G here

Like taking candy from a baby.

[garthu]

I would never have guessed that i would be impressed with any anc comments - but they did a got job here. As you say 'candy". HZ has a real challenge getting over of this hurdle. She has really blundered with this comment and quite frankly calling out a president in any country like that - surprised there's not some form of treason charge here. She needs to make right and realise that with such comments, she well never be given the chance to prove (or other) good governance. I'm shocked that she cant see that though - thats what gets me

[Marq]

So... should we suggest that she gets the DA Youth in action (DAYL) and let them have a go at JZ and the ANC while she sits back and says we dont like what they are doing and distance ourselves from it?

Then we get the DA veterans society in action (young folk that have never seen a war just like the ANC's guys or Zimababwes war vets) and let then declare that they will make the country ungovernable, declare war and that they will take out the leader of the opposition. Then HZ can just sit back and say we dont condone what they are doing - or just ignore this scenario as the ANC are doing right now.

Putting up a front like like the ANCYL, COSATU, MK or any other militant behind an acronym does not take away the fact that it is still the ANC. The DA just has one front and its leader is now in trouble for taking on these dirty tricks and cheap shots by JZ and his acronyms who are doing nothing to reel in his troops.

Its not like taking candy its more like trying to give it out to children with bad intentions. As said before it matters not what she says or does, the ANC are intent on bullying her into submission. If she keeps quiet.....they will have won. Is that what democracy is all about?

[sgafc]

I tend to agree with Copes view, in that there is a difference between vociferous debate, and viciousness and vindictiveness, (from both sides by the way!), we not singling out Zille. As a respected politician, that is far more mature than the league circus, we expected and deserve better.

[Dave A]

So... should we suggest that she gets the DA Youth in action (DAYL) and let them have a go at JZ and the ANC while she sits back and says we dont like what they are doing and distance ourselves from it?

Absolutely not! The ANCYL is more than enough source of comic relief at the moment.

[Dave A]

As if to prove it has to get worse before it gets better:

Plans to constantly hassle new premier Helen Zille with issues across the province - in a bid to force her to take her eye off the ball - have been hatched by the opposition ANC.

This has emerged from a leaked report, in the possession of the Cape Argus, agreed to by the party at its post-election provincial lekgotla at the weekend.

The plan, according to the report, is to put Zille on the defensive constantly, spreading her widely and thinly across the Western Cape to weaken her.
full story from IOL here

The one upside - it is a tacit form of acknowledgement that the DA and Zille are considered a serious threat by the ANC. So maybe we will see a meaningful competitor to the ANC one day.

But oh dear, this looks set to be a bumpy ride

[Dave A]

A military strategy for a retreating army is to leave nothing of use to the advancing army - a scorched earth policy.

The former African National Congress-run Western Cape administration approved the transfer of more than 1 000ha of prime provincial housing land to the national government the day before the April 22 elections.

"This land, worth about half-a-billion rand, and large enough to accommodate nearly 100 000 houses, was transferred free of charge ... without informing the public or the City of Cape Town," the province's new Premier, Helen Zille, told a media briefing in the city on Friday.

She said most of the land fell within the Cape Town Metro.
full story from M&G here

Incredible!

[Dave A]

Now it is the taxi owners' turn to feel the attitude.

TAXI operators will not halt the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit system and any violence or intimidation will be crushed, Deputy Minister of Transport Jeremy Cronin said yesterday.

He told reporters after the bi-weekly Cabinet meeting that the government would not let “narrow financial interests� get in the way of the system’s implementation.

Responding to questions about threats to disrupt the official launch of the first phase in Johannesburg on Sunday, he said the government would not be held hostage by taxi operators wanting to “elbow� their way into benefiting from the project.

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane warned yesterday that the government would use state security agencies, including the army, to counter any violence that might occur from Monday.

“ We will meet those who want to destroy the BRT with possibly greater might,� she said. ‘‘We must begin to demonstrate that we are the state and able to crush those who would blockade the BRT routes. We can’t be held to ransom. Consultation with the taxi industry started four years ago.’’
full story from The Times here