Splinter party no threat - Zuma

2008-10-09 07:19

Related Links

Bheki Mbanjwa

Johannesburg - ANC president Jacob Zuma has dismissed as baseless the claims made by former defence minister Mosioua Lekota that the ANC under his leadership has deviated from the values and the principles enshrined in the Freedom Charter.

Zuma also said the proposed splinter party "is not and will never be" any real threat to the ANC.

He was speaking during an hour-long, wide-ranging interview on uKhozi FM on Wednesday night.

"I am very confident that the ANC will have an even stronger showing at the polls next year. This splinter party will never be a real threat. Here we are talking about a party that has not been formed as yet and if it were to be formed it will have very little time to mobilise support before the elections," Zuma said.

Freedom Charter

Earlier, Lekota had hinted at the imminent formation of a new party by disgruntled ANC members.

He accused the ANC of departing from its founding principles, saying the new leadership "under Zuma" has done nothing to condemn some of the practices deemed to go against the values of the organisation.

However Zuma said the ANC had not deviated from the Freedom Charter, adding that it was not the first time Lekota had raised these issues.

"There is nothing new in what he said today. Mr Lekota has raised these issues even before Polokwane and we have spoken to him and addressed these," he said without elaborating further.

Lekota had also charged that some ANC members and leaders had contravened the "All shall be equal before the law" clause as enshrined in the Freedom Charter, by seeking a political solution to Zuma's corruption trial.

The ANC president however defended the calls for the political solution.

"Those who have made this call were saying that because they felt that this was no ordinary criminal trial, but they felt that it was a political trial. This has even affirmed by a [Pietermaritzburg] High Court judge."

Youth League

In response to Lekota's criticism of the ANC Youth League for making inflammatory statements, Zuma said the party will never condemn its youth leaders publicly saying that such matters were dealt with internally.

Zuma said that the ANC leadership will continue to engage with Lekota and other dissatisfied members within the party.

He also said that his leadership will be meeting with other dissenting voices outside the party with a view to addressing some of the differences.

He mentioned Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu as one of the people he will be meeting with. Tutu has been critical and lambasted the Zuma leadership of the ANC.

- The Witness

inside news24

All about Oprah

Everything you really need to know about the Queen of Talk.
Frivolous Movember

Fans have urged Pieter de Villiers to do the right thing and shave his Mo.
The DRC conflict

News24 interviews MSF head Banu Altunbas about the DRC conflict.
Sun-loving California

Top up or top down, this Ferrari convertible is a thing of beauty.
It's the silly season

Not sure what to stuff your kids' stockings with? We have the answers.
Birds of a feather

Clifton 3rd, Super Tubes or Margate - which beach do you belong at?
Madiba restaurant

South Africans living in New York, are you homesick?
Vampires, werewolves

The fangs and claws come out as they vie for box office glory.

Mr Zuma, that is the whole problem. If inflammatory comments were made in the public it should be reprimanded and addressed on the same platform - not quietly internally. You say it was dealt with internally, yet the comments continue. You are lying Mr Zuma. Do the right thing and address it publicly. And also please stop singing your violence insiting song - it is quite unsavoury and archaic. The struggle is over - let peace and justice prevail.

I will not be used to settle political scores. Whatever you do, Why now trying to lure people after all the journey you have gone without consulting with us? ANC is an organisation lead by people who self-centered. Look at Jeff Radebe and Gwede mantashe, they are saying Lekota is a baby seeking attention in public domain to voice his concerns using open letters but they too use public responses to air or reply to Lekota's letter. I am definitely sure they both not aware or don't see themselves as being emotionally puppets who seek attention in responding to Lekota. A new party is a better optionfor some of us and it is our democratic right to do so as it was said that the removal of Mr Mbeki is a move of a democratic state which democratically matures. ANC must let people talk and ANC must stop pushing poeple around so that they can keep quiet. ANC is such a dictator-like party, you air your concerns you go, you don't agree you leave. Oh! shame on ANC, I don't know whether the strategy of brainwashing people about ANC history, victories and Honourable Mr Nelson Mandela still works because ANC heads are pushing their own political agendas. Where is ANC? I see a group of people who think that they are leading a party but consistently flaming internal battles.

How can we believe anything he says when his story changes in accordance with his audience? He must really think people are stupid, when in fact it is his intelligence being questioned by some people. If he?s not worried about the new party, why ask TM to campaign for the ANC. They sound desperate to me. Yes, JZ, if you repeat something over & over it will become true?! This is not a fairytale!!

I cannot but believe that Mr Zuma is in fact guilty of the things that he has been charges off. Problem is that I think Mr Mbeki is as shady a character as Mr Zuma himself. Hopefully a new party will be formed and this would give the other more sensible parties a go at becoming the new Government. And please then follow through on all the investigations re the arms deal and jail the bastards (no matter whom) if they were involved in illegal dealings!

Although I am very optimistic about Mr Lekota exposing the "truth", I do not believe that forming a breakaway-ANC-party would be the solution. It is time for a new and fresh start, a party that is truly democratic and has no baggage from the past who caters for all South Africans. A new vision, mission and honourable values with inspirational and honest leaders who have no criminal or dubious past. This is a great opportunity for a new start which I think SA is craving for...

Having lost in Polokwane I believe former defence minister Lekota is angry and frustrated that the people's choice can not be avoided at all.The support shown by ordinary South Africans to President Jacob Zuma during his trial and humiliation by the npa prove what we as the people have always said.We believed from the day JZ was removed from his rightful place that one is innocent untill proven guilty by the court of law.Did Lekota and his bunch of morons say anything?No.Now is the time.

More of the same old utterance from JZ and his corrupt cronies, The ANC NEC is craping in it pants, why the sudden about face and the olive branch to the disgrunteled members. They have now realised that a breakaway faction will hit them where it hurts at the polls, and no 2/3 majority, no more being able to enfore there values on the voters, they will need to deliver on there promises, which we all know they are incapable of doing. Viva The New Party Viva.

crisis, split, aids, corruption, crime........and so it goes on. While Luthuli house has smoke coming out of all windows, we are being told that the ANC is united as ever behind one leader. No threat form a break away? Why panic and throw all sort of childish accusations around? Pre-primary school kids do better than that.

Let`s just be blunt about the whole matter.Mr Zuma is so tainted (Shower story, alleged corruption) and so forth.He has totally messed up the image of the Anc the only hounarable thing to do is to QUITT.

To say that a splinter party will never be a problem, is bold in deed. Not even the mountains last forever....the reality is that the only way an effective opposition will develop in SA is through a breakaway from the alliance. I do think President Mohlante has made some bold and fair decisions...

That is indeed the problem with the ANC...DENIAL! There is NO corruption, there is NO problems. Zuma is right though, for now, the splinter party won't be e threat, coz it'll take the citizens quite a while to catch on, that the ANC is causing them more harm than good. But EVENTUALLY, people WILL start opening their eyes, and start thinking for themselves, and start choosing a better future, without the corrupt, self-enriching leaders we currently have.

If a new party is formed by the centre left heavyweights of the ANC, that specifically states that they are leaving the rabble like SACP contingent behind, the ANC had better look out as the electorate has reached breaking point with all the lies and spin people like Jesse and co are foisting on them.

Splinter party will have an impact. Zuma must be a man and realise that. we are going in numbers to vote for it. I am in the staff forum at work and we discussed that. we want a new party. i have campaigned to my family, friends, relatives and they all support a splinter party. we are going to vote for it. they think they are smart. we have put them to power by a cross and we will remove them with a cross.

We all whole heartedly agree. Innocent until proven guilty! Let JZ then go to court and let us see whether he is guilty or not. But JZ has desperately tried every trick in the book (his right) to avoid going to court. WHY!?

Because of people like Lekota South Africa will never advance to the Democratic country it claims to be. Nelson Mandela after serving his term he decided to relieve himself of the duties to govern the country because he knew that he has reach the goal he set himself. Mbeki was supposed to do the same but no he set other goals while being on the set. Goals that other people would have helped the country to achieve without a hasle. Let Lekota and his alleys start another party we don't care.

Having listen to Lekota and his utterances, the man must be severe panished.He is the one who called for tribalism during Mandela tenure and now he is the one who is calliing the same stunt. He is a tribalist himself and he does not have a place in the ANC. They must fire him now before it is too late.

The big mistake of the ANC is to allow this idoit Zuma to be a President of the party.The ANC must remove Zuma until his legal issues get sourted.We are in deep sh@#t now and it's so given that we will never ever again have 2/3 majority.Zuma must move for interest of the party.We need to stand up for "umbutho madoda".We never have this crisis before in the ANC.

Why are we scared of democratic processes? I need to be educated about whether the political dynamics within the ANC and the subsequent removal of former persident Thabo Mbeki was in violation of the ruling party's constitution or the national constitution. If not whats the fuss about the decision taken by the NEC to recall one of its cadres? I wish to commend South Africans and their democratic institutions that have facilitated a change in leadership without a single drop of blood being spilt.

Mr Zuma should be very wary of falling into the trap being ?too comfortable.? He should know that politicians are never "comfortable" and are constantly at threat from public perception and rival parties. I firmly believe that now is the time for the DA, UDM, FF, IFP, ID to form a coalition party with the imminent break-away faction of the ANC and take the battle to the ANC. If the ANC's toxic strangle hold on South Africa is to be broken, it needs to be done collectively.

Comrade Lekota is right, we do need another animal farm, where there are pigs that have more rights than others. They want to dissolve the scoprions to protect their members, Zuma top the list, followed by Ramatlodi, Mabuza DD, John Block,Tony Yengeni and other cronies in the NEC.

I think Cde. Lekota is very correct, since the new leadership was put in power they never shown any sign of progress, instead what they are doing they are criticising their own comrades and want to expose them in public, they humiliated the honourable President Mbeki, even the neighbouring countries did not believe it. I think they is a very big confussion in the leadership of the corrupt JZ, they are leading the ANC like SACP and COSATU, why Gwede is holding two positions?

The only way to deal with the public comments made by the youth "leader" is to PUBLICLY comdemn them and state that these so-called leaders do not speak for the party! How stupid/ignorant/corrupt are you Mr Zuma to think and state otherwise?! Go on blind followers of this joke of a "leader' - vote for your beloved ANC and watch your country sink into a pit of despair that will make the apartheid years look like utopia. Well done Lekota!

I wish Lekota stops dily-daling and form the "New ANC", it is obvious a lot of people are itching for change. It is obvious Zuma & co. are shacking their butts off from the prospects of a new party, why are they so defensive now? They must go!! Viva New ANC

Lekota and co. lost dismally to the new leadership at Polokwane through democratic process. They resigned from govt to show undying allegiance to the outsted TM. The same crew wants to form and lead a new party? People spoke that they don't want them. They have served their time in govt. I would faint if I were to see Lekota in govt again! JZ is right - there is no threat to ANC here. It's the small parties like DA and UDM that will share voters with these fellow losers.

some people are really amazing-they talk about the ANC that is not delivering and that wants to push for a one party state but little do they realise that the same Lekota and his cronies are the guilty party because it is them who were leading the Anc for the past decade or so.Him Lekota was the one who told people to stop jumping around in streets and utilise the structures of the organisation to adress whatever grievances they had-now he does xactly what he opposed.he is hotheaded

So it begins- It is of course true that the ANC has wandered far from the dignified and gentlemanly demeanour of Nelson Mandela and to some extent Mbeki (although he was not fit for the job)into what it is now- A fatherless party ruled by a mob of ignorant, selfish, power hungry grabbers. It is not becoming of Zuma to make such bold rash statements- How does he know what the splinter party will or will not become- This is real arrogance. Unfortunately, there will be a power struggle with these 2 and they will revert to the age old African way of kill or be killed

In response to Mapogo km ignorant comments, "Now is the time," what exactly do you mean? If JZ is innocent he should demand his day in court to prove his innocence instead of fighting it every step of the way. Any educated person would quickly deduce that these are the actions of a guilty man trying to wriggle out of the mess he has landed himself in. Support for a suspected fraudster is beyond my understanding and just goes to prove how little has evolved here in the past 14 years.

If Thabo Mbeki was a successful leader he should have produced a leader. If we stand and criticize Zuma for lacking leadership skills we are pointing fingers to a wrong person. Which leader did Mbeki produce, I ask?

ANC was formed by those who loved it for those who wants a better South Africa for All not for a few who feels like occupying the seat for their entire life. Lekota was a Premier before in the Free State he fcuk it up. Then he was promoted to the minister of Defence where he thought he is going to retire when Mbheki retires. As said before "No single person/Individual can claim a greater share of S.A. And no one is bigger than the ANC"

Good for you and your "alleys"! Lekota is arrogant? Tell me, what is your character assessment of Malema then? A pussycat I'll bet! Whether you care or not is not important in the greater scheme. All that really matters is that hopefully a significant % of this country has more between their ears than you.

1994 was the last time that I voted. However I am going to the polls next year despite having to travel 650 Km to do so. I have got a funny feeling that my vote will make a difference this time around. I urge all freedom loving South Africans to go to the polls next year as to defeat corruption, favouritism and downright greed. I will vote for any party that plans to restore the scorpions

Any person who dared to oppose the honourable and mighty Mbeki faced the chop. Look at Zuma, Madla Routledge, Ramaphosa, Masetlha and others. Mbeki was a dictator who could not stand challenge and opposition or differing opinion. Zuma faced the chop before charged by court of law. Now same happened to Mbeki and suddenly people cry foul. What happened to JZ was a precedent so Mbeki fell in his own sword. How are the mighty fallen!!!

Firstly these chickens without heads that are ruining - oops running - the ANC criticise Lekota for his open letter and say he did it because of bitterness of losing at Plokwane but states "However Zuma said the ANC had not deviated from the Freedom Charter, adding that it was not the first time Lekota had raised these issues. "There is nothing new in what he said today. Mr Lekota has raised these issues even before Polokwane and we have spoken to him and addressed these," Zuma the Liar

It's strange that now that Lekota was defeated in a DEMOCRATIC process, he wants to play the voice of reason. why did he not raise the issue of "all equal before the law" when in the Ginwala commission, it was put by Pikoli that Mbeki had interefered with the prosecution of mr Selebi. Mind you this was not denied by the pres and neither did he (Mbeki) approach the commission to clear this matter, as he's attempting now after the Nicholson ruling? Lekota, pls be consistant with yo observation!

JZ's arrogance toward the prospect of an opposition party is the same arrogance that he shows toward women. Consider the irony of JZ's hopes of the presidency being removed when women refuse to vote for him...

Mr. Lekota has been the National chairperson of the ANC for the last 10 Years and it is very strange that he was very quite when the likes of Cde. Masaule, Khondlo,Madlala were purged,the ANC president was relieved of his duties as D. Pres.of the Country based on Squires judgement, when selebi was given extended leave when NPA confirmed that they have a prima facie evidence against him.He was willing when to serve ANC as S.G when we went to Polokwane, but was defeated, Why Now?.P

I feel sorry for the disillusioned Mr Lekota who will hear a lot about his own incompetencies as a minister during the vigorous campaigning period. It was his own department that resulted in worst corruption scandal in SA. The media and opposition are sparing him for now until he forms his own party, then all the hell breaks lose. He'll wish he was never born. But I guess he is too short-sighted to see that far. So are his pledged followers.

It is unfortunate that Lekota's missionary zeal is only emerging after he and his friends have lost the spoils of power.I wonder what the people of Khutsong would feel about this since he was the government's "fixer" sent to tell them to F-Off irrespective of their genuine unhappiness about being the new demarcation orders from Pretoria. Where was Lekota's noble courage when Manto was at her comical best, beetroot and all? Sandile

The moment of truth has finally arrived. Certainly some wrongs have been committed by both camps. There is no way in hell that the JZ camp will ever trust Mr. Lekota after his utterances. And if Mr. Lekota thinks after his meeting with Mr. Phosa & Co today thinks will return to normal - then he has another thing coming. He better asks Mr. Madisha how the JZ camp settles scores. My advice to Mr. Lekota if he cares for it is that, bite the bullet and soldier on...

Let them all go, I hope he will not split from his own party when he is not elected as president or S.G.but I want warn him, People of SA cannot be confused or used forever, they might be dissapointed by the ANC, as we were during your term of office, but not to an extent of leaving the ANC.try your luck you will not Succeed.

It's quite alarming, the non-sense that has come out of Zuma's mouth this past couple of weeks, since TM's departure. Its like he is now being himself, and saying whatever trash comes into his mind. To think, this will be our next Pres, no matter what. Imagine what damage he will do to our economy, because of his blundering

The present leadership of the ANC is trying so hard to tell us that all is okay in the ANC. Question is, for how long will they hold that view before finally admitting that there is a crisis. The likes of Terror & Co. have nothing to loosing politically hence the challenge on the ANC...

I read all the comments made here and what amazes me is that all those who made them are neither ANC members and they will never be in the next 100 years.So please all you non ANC,JUST SHUT UP AND LET anc members comment on this one.There might be a FF+ or DA forum somewhere where you will be welcomed to air your views.Lekota you are no threat to the ANC.

	Life Insurance			Car Insurance
	UK Lottery			Insurance for Women
	Get up to R1 000 free!			Life Insurance for Women
	Personal Loans and Credit Cards			Free Business Insurance Quote
	Shop online at MTN Direct			Get direct access to up to R50 000
	Restore your balance

Johannesburg

Splinter party no threat - Zuma

Related Links

Other Stories in South Africa...

inside news24

Jobs - Find your dream job

Cars - Search 1000's of new and used cars

Property - Find a new home

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Free Games - TOO MUCH NEWS? TAKE A BREAK!

Kalahari.net - shop online today

Sponsored links

Hot Deal of the Day!

Up to 30% off Books

services