ANC welcomes ANCYL's mine paper

2010-02-03 14:03

Johannesburg - The ANC on Wednesday welcomed the ANCYL's discussion document on the nationalisation of mines.

This followed a heated debate on nationalisation between the ANC Youth League and Minerals Minister Susan Shabangu.

The ANC said in a statement it would engage with the ANCYL "through proper ANC structures" and then express its opinion.

In the meantime, the ANC advised the public not to "stifle debate" on this matter and allow the ANC to talk to its youth wing.

The debate on the nationalisation of mines has become increasingly heated following accusations by the ANCYL against Shabangu.

The ANCYL said the minister "was misleading investors when she said the nationalisation of mines would not happen in her lifetime".

The minister made the comment at a media conference at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Tuesday.

"If these are really the views of the minister, she is disingenuous, dishonest and does not understand the African National Congress.

"In our internal discussion with Minister Shabangu, she said that she does not disagree with the ANC Youth League, but because she is now trying to impress imperialists, she changes her tone," the ANCYL said.

ANCYL president Julius Malema brought up the mine nationalisation debate at the weekend at a lekgotla where he presented a discussion document.
 

- SAPA