Holomisa happy about split
2008-10-08 17:31
Johannesburg - The possible formation of an ANC splinter party could help opposition parties to reduce the two-thirds majority presently held by the ANC, Bantu Holomisa said in Johannesburg on Wednesday, SABC radio news reported.
He said the indications by former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota that a new party could be formed in the coming weeks was an opportunity for opposition parties.
He was speaking at the briefing of the United Democratic Movement's 2009 election campaign.
Holomisa suggested that if the ANC failed to take advantage of the new platform, the ruling party under Jacob Zuma could turn South Africa into what he termed a "banana republic".
Holomisa was reportedly optimistic that Lekota's new group could attract disgruntled ANC members.
"Hopefully Terror (Lekota) will succeed in whatever he is trying to do. If he were to target at least 30% or 25% of voters, that would be good.
"I wish him all the best and we can still make it possible that Mr Zuma and his ilk ... do not ascend to Union Buildings, if we use our brains properly," he said.
Holomisa was expelled from the ANC on September 30 1996 for alleging corruption against former public enterprises minister and ANC member Stella Sigcau.
- SAPA