NATIONAL NEWS - In yet another public reproach between ANC cadres, Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom has told former president Jacob Zuma that under President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC is “very serious” about dealing with corruption.

Hanekom was responding to Zuma’s public support for eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede.

He took to social media on Sunday and said he hoped the charges against the mayor were not politically motivated, like his, and vowed to support her as she did in the past decade.

He wrote: “I have sadly learned that Comrade Zandile Gumede has been charged with corruption. I hope it is not politically motivated and that the state has enough evidence to substantiate this charge. I speak from experience from my own politically motivated charges.

“I shall show Comrade Zandile Gumede the same support that she has shown me for the past decade. Be strong my Leader, this too shall pass.”

Gumede is facing fraud and racketeering charges and is in the dock with co-accused ANC councillor Mondli Mthembu and businessman Craig Poonan.

They have been charged in connection with tender fraud for a 2016 Durban Solid Waste (DSW) contract for which the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – better known as the Hawks – says no work was done. The tender was for R208 million. She handed herself over to the Hawks on Tuesday morning last week and was granted R50,000 bail.

Responding to the former president, Hanekom said he hoped that Zuma was not suggesting that Gumede’s charges were politically motivated, adding that no one would get away with corruption under Ramaphosa’s leadership.

“I hope the former President is not suggesting that this may be politically motivated. Under the leadership of @CyrilRamaphosa, we are serious about dealing with corruption. Very serious.”

Read more on the Caxton publication, Alberton Record.