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ANC concerned about Zim crisis
15/04/2008 07:20 - (SA)
Cape Town - Zimbabwe was in a state of crisis, the African National Congress's national working committee said on Monday.
Spokesperson Jesse Duarte said after the NWC meeting in Cape Town: "The ANC regards (the ruling party) Zanu-PF as an ally. "However, it is concerned with the state of crisis that Zimbabwe is in and perceives this as negative for the entire Southern African Development Community region."
This is contrary to President Thabo Mbeki's pronouncement that the stand-off in the southern African country did not constitute a crisis.
Duarte said the ANC accepted that Mbeki, who had been re-appointed to mediate between Zanu-PF and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions by the SADC, "has cause to remain neutral".
The ANC again called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to announce the election results without delay.
A run-off suggested a lack of respect for the will of the people of Zimbabwe and would be "undemocratic".
"The ANC will contact Zanu-PF and the MDC separately with a view to hold party-to-party dialogue on the situation in Zimbabwe," she said.
Endorsed ANCYL's top five
The NWC also discussed the ANC Youth League's national conference which was adjourned last week and indefinitely postponed after being unable to finish its work or confirm the election results of its top five leaders after five days.
The NWC said the ANC endorsed the results of the Youth League's top five leadership positions announced at the conference, prior to it being postponed.
"The ANC wishes to state categorically that it does not accept the abhorrent and negative behaviour displayed by members of Youth League at the conference.
"A senior delegation of NWC members will meet the Youth League to give guidance and assist in organising a follow-up conference in June to conclude their business, to elect membership of NEC," Duarte said.
The league elected its top five leaders, with Limpopo's Julius Malema as president, during the five-day congress in Bloemfontein. Objections against poll process
The conference was marred by strong campaigning by the Malema group and supporters of the other presidential candidate, Saki Mofokeng, of the Free State.
Moments after the new leadership was announced objections against the election process surfaced which derailed the conference.
Youth League asks for 'guidance'
Electoral commission member Malusi Gigaba said at the time the congress eventually adopted a resolution that the league ask the ANC for "guidance and advice" to help solve its differences.
The NWC also expressed concern about delays in effecting legislation through Parliament to disband the Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions).
Duarte said the ANC stood fast in its belief that there should be one police force and that the Scorpions should be dissolved in line with the resolution adopted by the party at its national conference in Polokwane in December.
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