Lekota: I'm not intimidated

2008-10-14 22:14

Sue Segar

Cape Town - A defiant Mosiua Lekota has hit back at ANC president Jacob Zuma for labelling him and his breakaway supporters as "charlatans and dissidents", saying he is not intimidated by Zuma.

Lekota said on Tuesday his critics, including Zuma, are misguided and that attacks on his person will not answer the questions he has asked. "I am not intimidated. The people of South Africa can decide," Lekota said.

On Tuesday, the former ANC chair announced the formation of a new political party after being suspended by the ANC's National Working Committtee.

He and former deputy defence minister Mluleki George are expected to announce a programme of action on a planned national convention and breakaway party in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Lekota and his supporters received a tongue-lashing from Zuma, who accused the dissidents of "walking away" from the ANC, saying it would be a "sad day" if ANC members are misled by Lekota's "waffled talk".

In responde, Lekota said: "He must not talk about the person who is Terror Lekota. He should talk about the principles. He can have a field day talking about me. I have raised issues of principle. All these attacks on my person won't resolve the questions I have raised."

'Questions of peace and security'

Lekota hit back at Zuma for failing to rebuke supporters of his who wore T-shirts that promoted tribalism and those who stated publicly that they would kill for Zuma.

"These are questions of peace and security. He must deal with those issues, not talk about the person who is Terror Lekota. Millions of people are saying that the leadership he is providing is unacceptable."

"Why does he not bring the rest of the leadership in line with the policies of the ANC."

Lekota said the national convention will decide how to "defend the democratic gains" which have been made.

"The decision on how to proceed will be taken by people who think like us when we meet. I am convinced we will find a formation to enable us to challenge the leadership of the ANC which has taken the road away from the established principles of our organisation," Lekota said.

He rejected suggestions that the new formation - with its strong support in the Eastern Cape - would have a Xhosa power base.

"There are supporters in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape - across the length and breadth of the country. This is not a tribal issue," he said.

- The Witness