New party 'can threaten ANC'

2008-10-17 17:11

Johannesburg - The new political party expected to be formed soon by breakaway ANC leaders will pose a strong opposition to the ruling party, academic Shadrack Gutto said on Friday.

Speaking at the Black Management Forum's (BMF) conference on next year's general election, he said the "ANC conventionists" appeared to have the potential to attract a significant portion of votes from the traditional ANC constituencies as well as constituencies of the other political parties.

This would, however, not place the new political party in a position to lead the country, but would likely place it right below it, posting a strong opposition for the ANC.

"They will probably not emerge from the elections as the biggest party - the ANC is likely to still occupy this position - but they will not be a fringe party; they may actually emerge as the second biggest party after the ANC," he said.

With the strong opposition front from the new party, Gutto said the ANC might be forced to forge relations with other oppositions parties.

However, "the dust will settle" after the elections, but the country would have to work hard to regain its regional and international leadership role.

Gutto also outlined a trail of incidents from Polokwane to the current "hostile situation" within the ANC, and warned the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), security agencies, and law enforcement institutions needed to be alert and prepared to contain possible violence during the upcoming campaign and election.

- SAPA