ANC 'united on policy'

2007-12-20 18:52

Polokwane - Recent clashes between supporters of Thabo Mbeki and those of newly elected ANC president Jacob Zuma does not mean the two camps differ on policy issues, ANC National Executive Member Joel Netshitenzhe said on Thursday.

"There are no differences about the direction (which the ANC) should take in the next 10 years," he said at a media briefing at the ANC's national conference in Polokwane.

Netshitenzhe said the fact that delegates on Wednesday unanimously adopted the movement's strategy and tactics policy documents that set out the party's political vision and broad plan, was evidence there would not be any substantive changes in the ruling party's policies, irrespective of changes in leadership.

"There would be more emphasis on certain matters but there will not be fundamental overhaul on policies and what the ANC stands for," he said.

Components of the strategy and tactics policy documents adopted by conference included guidelines regulating the relationship between the ruling party and business.

Netshitenzhe said it was important for the relationship to be regulated as the ruling party had a developmental agenda that seeks to address inequalities inherited from the apartheid era.

Guidelines to deal with fanatical movements

While it was in the interest of the ruling party to create conditions conducive for businesses to be profitable, the ANC-led government had to adopt measures that ensured businesses practices were in line with the country's broad objectives.

The ruling party, Netshitenzhe said, had a duty to "regulate the environment in which capital exercises its activities".

He said the strategic and tactics guidelines, along with other policies adopted by the conference, would inform government policy going forward.

Other components that formed part of the strategy and tactics policy documents adopted by the conference included the singling out of those groups and individuals deemed to be counter-revolutionary and enemies of the ANC liberation movement.

Netshitenzhe said the guidelines seek to deal with fanatical movements such as the Boeremag.

"These are forces that originate from the apartheid previous government who will use underhand methods to subvert the state and the ANC.

Netshitenzhe dismissed suggestions the ANC could use this to clamp down on opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance.

"Opponents are opponents - they operate within the framework of the constitution and remain a legitimate South African school of thought," he said.

Asked whether the current tensions between the Mbeki and Zuma camps would result in the party's recently adopted policies not being implemented by government, Netshitenzhe said both camps supported the adopted policies.

"Everyone in the movement agrees on policies that need to be implemented," he said.

- SAPA