THE ANC’s message to Jacob Zuma’s estranged wife is very clear.
She no longer qualifies for VIP status.
When Nompumelelo MaNtuli-Zuma arrived at the funeral of ANC regional chairman, Thulani Mashaba at Richards Bay on Sunday, she was shown to the back by protocol officers.
In the front row sat two of the president’s other wives, Sizakele MaKhumalo-Zuma and Bongi MaNgema-Zuma, along with other VIPs like provincial chairman Senzo Mchunu, the party’s national treasurer Dr Zweli Mkhize and the mourning Mashaba family.
Sources at the funeral said it was embarrassing to see the different treatment given to MaNtuli and MaNgema, who both arrived late after mourners were already seated.
“Some people are saying MaNtuli ended up sitting in the back because she arrived late, but MaNgema also arrived late and protocol officials escorted her to the front,” said a source who can’t be named.
“Her seat was reserved next to MaKhumalo. Why was MaNtuli’s seat not reserved?”
A source close to the family said MaNtuli was given the cold shoulder because she was no longer being invited to family matters, so the ANC was hesitant to elevate her to the status of the other first ladies.
MaNtuli was making her first public appearance since she was reportedly kicked out of the Zuma family home in Nkandla last year.
Her dismissal from Zuma’s homestead came after revelations that Zuma’s food was allegedly poisoned on one of his overseas trips while accompanied by MaNtuli.
Sicelo Khuzwayo, ANC provincial spokesman, said there was no protocol arrangement at the funeral.
“Only the top leadership must indicate that they are coming so that we reserve seats for them,” said Khuzwayo. He could not say why MaNgema’s seat was reserved even though she arrived late.
