MK vets angry over dissidents

2008-10-16 16:45

Johannesburg - Members of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association will not be swayed into abandoning the organisation they fought for and risked their lives for, they said at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday.

"Those are the people the ANC can rely on because they are tried and tested. We've been facing problems of unemployment for a very long time, but were never swayed into joining other political parties," said MK national chairperson Kebby Maphatsoe.

He said this in the wake of a looming convention which could be the launch pad for a new political party spearheaded by Mosiuoa Lekota.

Bitter and angry

"We have observed and felt the activities of these dissidents, led by Terror Lekota, Mluleki George and lately joined by Sam Shilowa... these are the people who have been fighting for positions (in the NEC) for years and failed to cling to the positions they held in government so they have now turned bitter and angry.

"Our assessment is that their actions are designed to disorganise the ANC from mobilising for the forthcoming general elections," Maphatsoe said.

MK national spokesperson Ike Moroe said the latest developments had rubbed MK veterans the wrong way, but that their anger would in no way drive them to entertain thoughts of joining the breakaway party or be associated with its activities.

"MK members are very angry. You can imagine how people who spent the better part of their lives fighting for the freedom of this country would feel having to witness this... it is very painful. But we are confident that they are very disciplined people who will never betray the movement," he said.

So angry were they at the latest developments within the ANC that the veterans had now undertaken to mobilise support for the ANC countrywide.

Mobilising members

"We aim to mobilise 45 000 members for the ANC general election campaign... because a united disciplined and strong ANC is of utmost importance not only to us but for the majority whose gains must be protected from the potential of a certain tragic reversal if the reckless behaviour of those dissidents in our midst is not stopped," Maphatsoe added.

He said the veterans would start their campaign in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape next month.

"This is were they [dissidents] made a lot of noise and this information has a potential to confuse communities, so that's where we have to start in protecting our movement," Maphatsoe said.

- SAPA