Mantashe calls foul on using state assets

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has called on factions within the party to refrain from using state resources in smear campaigns designed to discredit rival presidential candidates.

His remarks come days after Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa made headlines over alleged extramarital affairs with several women.

Ramaphosa has admitted to one affair and said state resources have been used in a smear campaign against him.

He claimed that the e-mails being used as proof of the affairs were doctored and suspected government intelligence staff were implicated.

Mantashe said: “All we can say about state institutions being used is that we are hoping that we don’t degenerate to the level where the National Party was, because that was the beginning of the end.

“If we go to the conference in December and people begin to be personal and use all of the dirty tricks‚ you must appreciate that it’s not the dirty tricks that are important [but] it is the destruction of the essence of politics and the African National Congress.”

Mantashe was speaking at Luthuli House where he held a media conference on the state of plans ahead of the party’s December elective conference.

The ANC is in the last stages of its internal audit process meant to verify members in good standing ahead of the conference.

According to Mantashe‚ 70% of branches must be in good standing to participate in the conference.

The conference will see new leadership elected to top positions and the race for the ANC presidency has been hotly contested.

The role of the branch general meetings is to nominate branch delegates who will attend the conference.

Conference delegates will nominate and elect candidates to NEC positions. They will also discuss policy proposals which could inform government policy.