ANCYL: Lekota a dying horse

2008-10-03 16:05

Johannesburg - Former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota, who recently drafted an open letter to the African National Congress, is a dying horse aiming his last kicks at the party, the ANC Youth League said on Friday.

Spokesperson Floyd Shivambu said the league initially did not want to respond to Lekota's letter, but got "fed up" at his "childish open defiance and distortion" of party principles.

"The ANCYL would have left Mr Lekota to make a fool of himself; and allow him, like all dying horses, [to] throw the last feeble kicks."

On Thursday, Lekota, who was also ANC national chairperson, accused the ANC leadership of driving the party away from its political culture and practices.

In a strongly-worded statement to ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe he said the current leadership within the ANC had taken a "direct and unadulterated departure" from the Freedom Charter.

Lekota also raised his concerns over what he called ''high levels of intolerance in the ANC''.

Lekota a 'spoilt brat'

Shivambu said in writing the letter Lekota behaved like a "spoilt brat".

"He has now gone too far and has in effect defined himself outside organisational principles and guidelines."

Shivambu said Lekota should be subjected to organisational processes, principles and discipline "if he is still a member of the organisation".

He said the league would discuss a detailed approach to the letter at its National Executive Committee meeting next week.

Shivambu said the ANC would not be blackmailed or held ransom by "agent provocateurs and cowards" threatening a breakaway from the party.

"A breakaway will expose the real power mongers who seek power at all cost. Those who threaten a breakaway from the ANC should do so now and will not represent even a show of the African National Congress, but narrow self-interests and inability to accept democratic outcomes."

'Free to go'

Lekota claimed in his letter that those who expressed views contrary to popular opinion were later "hounded out" and "purged" from organisational and state structures, contrary to the ANC's democratic culture.

On Thursday Transport Minister and NEC member Jeff Radebe wrote in a reply to Lekota's letter that ANC members' criticism of the party amounted to notice of their resignation.

"The ANC is a voluntary association of individuals who believe in it, and who [are] free to leave as and when they cease to do so," Radebe said.

"History is full of examples of such individuals. In the majority of cases, these were leaders who had grown too big for the ANC.

"These people could no longer subject themselves to the discipline of the organisation. As such they either had to leave voluntarily or be expelled.

"We hope we have not reached that stage in your case."

- SAPA