ANC members told to behave

2008-02-12 17:27

Johannesburg - The ANC's national working committee urged party members on Tuesday to refrain from undisciplined and divisive behaviour ahead of the ANC's provincial conference season.

Following a meeting of the committee on Monday, members were asked to "desist from behaviour that threatened the unity and discipline of the movement".

The NWC condemned reports of smear documents being circulated in a province ahead of the conference season, which starts in April.

"We unequivocally condemn reports of the apparent circulation of smear documents aimed at character assassination of ANC leaders and members in Limpopo," it said.

The committee said it would not hesitate to act against members participating in these "divisive activities".

The Sunday Independent reported this week that President Thabo Mbeki, who was denied a third term at the ruling party's helm by rival Jacob Zuma in Polokwane, was fighting to reclaim the party through the election of his supporters at provincial level.

The NWC on Tuesday condemned attempts by members of the Congress of SA Trade Union (Cosatu) in the North West, reportedly an Mbeki power base, to draw up lists of "preferred candidates" for leadership positions in the provincial elections.

It described the conduct of union members in the province as "opportunistic and unprincipled".

"The NWC wishes to reiterate that the nomination and election of leaders of the ANC, from the Branch Executive Committees to the National Executive Committee, remain the exclusive right and duty of ANC structures, including the ANC Women's and Youth Leagues.

The ANC believed lobbying was a natural course in any election process but touting a list of candidates on behalf of the ANC was tantamount to disrespect for the structures of the movement.

The country's power crisis also featured on the agenda of the NWC, with the committee agreeing the party should launch a nationwide energy efficiency campaign in which its members would participate.

"This campaign would see every member of the ANC embarking on a door-to-door community awareness exercise, encouraging all South Africans to 'save electricity today so that we have it tomorrow'."

The party would also distribute pamphlets containing energy saving measures, the NWC said.

- SAPA