First tests for ANC rebels

2008-10-15 07:53

Staff reporters

Vanderbijlpark - The political tension in the ANC about a possible split increased even further on Tuesday when ANC leader Jacob Zuma launched a scathing attack on Mosiuoa Lekota, presently the public face of the ANC rebels.

The rebels will announce their plans for a national convention in Johannesburg on Wednesday, while national ANC leaders will be holding an emergency meeting to take a "radical" decision about the future of the rebels.

This follows Zuma's speech at the National Union of Mineworkers (Numsa) congress on Tuesday, where he focused mainly on Lekota, former chairperson of the ANC and former minister of defence, who was suspended from the party on Monday.

Lekota is like a wart that should be tied off and when he falls off, one would be rid of him, Zuma said in Sotho.

He said Lekota and those who supported former president Thabo Mbeki in Polokwane are sore losers.

"It is our view that we cannot allow people who are bitter about the outcome of democratic processes in the ANC to sow discord and create confusion in our structures."

The ANC rebels are facing their first test on Wednesday in the election of Numsa leaders.

Silumko Nondangwu, Numsa chief secretary, who has been isolated because of his support of Mbeki, stands against Irvin Jim, Numsa secretary in the Eastern Cape, a Zuma supporter.

'Enough support'

A defeat or close victory for Jim could indicate strong support for the ANC rebels.

Zuma's reception at the Numsa congress on Tuesday was mild compared to previous Cosatu gatherings.

The ANC's election planning is also suffering due to growing tension.

Last Monday a meeting that was scheduled to discuss the party's election manifesto could not be held because those responsible for the meeting did not pitch.

Mluleki George, who is spearheading the proposed breakaway with Lekota, said on Tuesday they were "convinced there's already enough support for the (breakaway) plan".

During the past week George and Lekota addressed public meetings in the Eastern and the Western Cape.

They said the ANC had not officially contacted them since their suspension on Monday.

Members of the ANC's national executive are presently visiting branches across the country to explain the reason for Mbeki's dismissal - thought to be the main reason for the ANC rebellion.

"The ANC is getting increasingly panicky because the party has no idea how much support the breakaway group has," it was said in senior government circles on Tuesday.

"That's why the premiers for North West (Edna Molewa) and the Free State (Beatrice Marshoff) are still in their posts."

Lekota is also expected to meet ANC leaders in the Northern Cape and Northwest.

- Beeld