I do not believe it - Lekota
2008-10-14 02:23
Johannesdurg - Former African National Congress chair Mosiuoa Lekota met the
news of the suspension of his party membership with disbelief on
Monday.
"I do not believe it. So I said to comrade [Mluleki George] I will
not say anything about it to the newspapers, I want to wait until I get
a letter from the ANC," he told supporters in Uitenhage.
"If there is such a thing, I do not believe it. You know why?
"Because the constitution of the ANC says that no member can be punished
before you hold a hearing."
The party announced earlier that it had summarily suspended Lekota's and
George's membership.
"The ANC National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Bloemfontein
today [13 October 2008], has decided to summarily suspend the ANC
membership of Mosiuoa Lekota and Mluleki George with immediate effect,"
read a statement.
The committee said this was in line with Rule 25.12 of the ANC
constitution.
Disciplinary action
This rule authorises the NWC to summarily suspend any
member, pending the institution and conclusion of disciplinary
proceedings against them.
"The NWC has agreed to convene a special meeting of the ANC National
Executive Committee (NEC) this Wednesday where the matter will receive
further attention," the statement read.
"The ANC will take similar action against any other members who have
indicated in words or action their intention to establish a party in
opposition to the ANC."
The NWC said it would recommend to the NEC that provincial
structures be directed to take disciplinary action against such
individuals.
"The NWC believes that this action will address any confusion that
may have been created by people speaking for the ANC at meetings not
arranged or sanctioned by the ANC," the statement read.
Lekota last week announced his intention to hold a convention to
discuss the possibility of forming a new political party.
Resigned after Mbeki was forced out
He recently resigned as defence minister after the ANC leadership
ousted Thabo Mbeki as president of the country.
In Monday's statement, the NWC said the ANC could not allow its
structures to be used "for purposes of undermining and betraying the
organisation".
"While the ANC respects the right of any South African to form a
political party, the NWC reiterates the fundamental principle that all
ANC members have voluntarily undertaken to respect its decisions,
internal processes and democratically-elected structures."
Grievances or concerns did not give any member a licence to defy
decisions of ANC structures, to destabilise the organisation, or to
engage in factional activity, the NWC said.
Talks with Matthews Phosa not helpful
Lekota met ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa on Monday morning to
discuss his concerns over the party.
Afterwards, Lekota told the SABC the meeting was not helpful.
"It was a very badly prepared-for meeting," he said.
"Although they said they were mandated by the national working
committee [of the ANC], there was no record of the decision of the
committee as to what their answers are to the questions I have raised.
"There is nothing you could put your finger on and say this is what
the position of the ANC is."
Testing waters
Lekota held a rally in Langa, Cape Town, to drum up support for the
idea of a national convention.
In the Free State, a group of disgruntled ANC members announced on
Monday that a provincial convention would be held to test support for a
national convention.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe spent the weekend in the
Eastern Cape addressing a provincial alliance summit in King William's
Town, and the Cacadu regional council in Humansdorp.
Party spokesperson Andile Nkuhlu told the Herald that Mantashe had
urged members not to leave the ANC.
- SAPA