ANC to discipline dissidents

2008-10-16 12:18

Joahnnesburg - The ANC is going ahead with disciplinary action against Mosiuoa Lekota and Mluleki George, and will do the same to other dissidents, secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Thursday.

"The ANC will take disciplinary action against any ANC member who mobilises for the formation of a new organisation in opposition to the ANC," Mantashe said in Johannesburg.

Lekota, the former party chairperson and defence minister, and his deputy George, have been suspended for accusing the party of moving away from its core values, and for being associated with speculation that a break away movement would be formed.

Mantashe said in response to these developments the ANC would convene a Regional General Council where these decisions would be communicated, and it would also work with alliance partners Cosatu and the SA Communist Party on the matter.

Mantashe denied there was a split in the party, preferring to refer to it as dissidents or a splinter group.

"There is no split in the ANC, there are dissidents, it is a big difference. The closest would be a splinter," he said.

Mantashe said former president Thabo Mbeki had warned in 2004 of potential weaknesses coming from within the ANC "that was prophetic in hindsight".

- SAPA