Security for South Africa’s president-in-waiting Jacob Zuma has been beefed up ahead of his inauguration because there were some people who hated him, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said.
He spoke to Sapa shortly after addressing thousands of workers at a May Day Rally in Durban’s Lindelani area.
"There was a lot of hatred of Jacob Zuma before the election , there were sour grapes," said Vavi.
"There was evidence that people were manipulating government institutions for personal gain , we were en-route to a banana republic."
He said the people "doing the manipulating" had a hatred for Zuma.
Asked whether Zuma’s life had been threatened because of the hatred he said: "So far there hasn’t been any threat on his life, not that I am aware of, but his security has been beefed up to ensure his safety."
He said some sections of the media had worked with the opposition to create a "monster image" of Zuma.
"As you can see through the election victory, people can see he is not a monster because through him, the people see themselves," said Vavi.
