ANC 'deviating from principles'

2008-10-08 13:02

Johannesburg - Former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota said he "served divorce papers" on the African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday, but stopped short of announcing a new political party.

Lekota instead called on "all who share our concerns to join in a collective effort to defend our movement and our democracy".

Asked whether this meant he was announcing the formation of a new political party, he replied: "I will say it when I choose to say it".

But earlier, during the news conference in Johannesburg, he told reporters: "It seems to me we have been serving today divorce papers". This was in response to a question on whether he was seeking marriage counselling or a divorce from the ANC.

He criticised the new ANC leadership elected in Polokwane in December and specifically party leader Jacob Zuma. "He is the legitimate leader of the ANC. Nevertheless, he is leading the ANC away from its policy," said Lekota.

New organisation

He added that the ANC no longer seemed committed to the principles of equality before the law. "Even when we steal money, like any other thief, we will be locked up. If you steal and you are black or white - jail. That is something we must teach now, it doesn't matter if you are ... the leader of the ANC, the law will apply to you," said Lekota.

He said that hundreds of ANC members at branch level, were unhappy with the way in which the current ANC leaders were deviating from party principles. He said he would call for a public convention to discuss this.

That would be the beginning of a "process that we will set in place", apparently to start a new organisation.

Lekota last week sharply criticised the new ANC leadership in an open letter to secretary general Gwede Mantashe.

Lekota resigned alongside ousted former president Thabo Mbeki who was removed from office by the national executive committee of the ANC. Several cabinet members, seen to be Mbeki loyalists, and former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, resigned following his departure from office, fuelling rumours of the formation of a new opposition party.

Lekota in his letter accused the new ANC leaders of steering the organisation "away from the established policy priorities and customary democratic norms of the ANC".

But Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, an ANC NEC member, responded: "Put bluntly, you and those who share your views are giving notice to leave the ANC".

- SAPA