'Marriage has not broken down'

2008-10-08 14:13

Johannesburg - The relationship between the two warring factions of the ANC has not irretrievably broken down, ANC treasurer general Mathews Phosa said on Wednesday.

Phosa was speaking at a media briefing at the party's headquarters in Johannesburg.

This followed earlier statements by former defence minister Mosioua Lekota who said the ANC was divided and that a break-away party may contest the 2009 elections.

"Comrade Lekota said he has issued summons on us and our response to that is that the marriage has not broken down. We all have to be cool and find each other to go ahead with the process of reconciliation," Phosa said.

He said he would be meeting with Lekota on Thursday as part of a process of uniting the ANC.

"We are in the middle of the process of consultation and talking to them about the process of consultation because a process based on anger and emotions is not part of our agenda."

Just after Phosa addressed the media, ANC president Jacob Zuma cautioned against those using party structures to destabilise the ANC.

"There is a limit to utilising the ANC and its structures to destabilise the party so people should bear that in mind," Zuma said.

- SAPA