Stop Zuma 'anarchists'
2007-12-17 16:58
Polokwane - "Stop the anarchy" caused by Jacob Zuma's camp at the ANC's national conference, Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George told Thabo Mbeki supporters on Monday.
"Some of us are joining them because of intimidation. We must stop this anarchy before they get to power," he said at the conference venue in Polokwane.
George was addressing delegates who had filled about a third of a large grandstand on the University of Limpopo's campus after lunch.
Tensions in the battle between Mbeki and Zuma for the leadership of the party have heightened since the conference got off to a stormy start on Sunday.
Mbeki, current African National Congress president, and Zuma, his deputy, are so far the only two candidates nominated for the next term of the party presidency.
George told the group before the afternoon's formal conference proceedings resumed: "At the moment, comrades, we are on top of them."
'Save the organisation'
His remarks triggered an outburst of cheering, whistling and clapping.
George urged the Mbeki camp to remain disciplined and confident.
"We must make sure that we are disciplined. The spirit, comrades, must be kept like this," he said to more cheering.
George said he was saddened by the disorder at the start of the conference on Sunday morning.
"What we saw yesterday, is a clear indication that we must save the organisation."
A woman from the Free State said: "We are going to save the ANC from anarchy."
Afterwards, several metres away in front of the main tent, supporters of Zuma could be heard singing his trademark song Bring me my machine gun.
- SAPA