Always be careful of what you say in public. Not so long ago, the secretary of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, Bheki Mtolo, said former president Jacob Zuma, who is 81 years old, shouldn’t expect to participate in this year’s general elections because of his age.
Mtolo made these comments at a meeting of the ANC cadres forum in Nquthu. He said Zuma would likely be hospitalised before the elections and would not be able to participate.
But hold your chuckles! Zuma, being the resilient chap he is, recently emerged unharmed from a car accident, sparking wild rumours of conspiracy.
In an attempt to save face, Mtolo justified his gaffe by citing Zuma’s age, as if being older than Methuselah automati-cally disqualifies one from participating in elections.
Needless to say, Mtolo’s explanation fell rather flatter than a pancake.
Dear politicians: sometimes, silence truly is golden. Mtolo needs to let the higher-ups handle the headache that Zuma is to the ailing Khongolose while he sticks to admiring the scenery and avoiding verbal landmines.
Leave that to trusty old Mbaks and shut up!
