‘ANC must call out thieves in ranks’

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe says ANC branches need to be frank when debating about their leaders for the upcoming national conference and must call them “thieves” if they are.

Mantashe said the onus was on ANC branches to make sure they did not elect “corrupt leaders”.

“Let’s continue to discuss the leadership of the ANC, analysing the behaviours and track record of the leaders of the movement. If we do not do that, we will end up electing a leadership that is corrupt,” he said, speaking to ANC members at OR Tambo Hall in Mthatha yesterday. He was in the area to deliver the Chris Hani memorial lecture.

Mantashe said the “only way” to honour Hani’s legacy was for the ANC to root out factionalism and corruption in its ranks.

“When comrades steal from government, they are depriving our people of services that should better their lives. If you are stealing from government, you are the enemy of the ANC,” he said.

Mantashe also reiterated that President Jacob Zuma did not consult the leadership of the ANC during his recent cabinet reshuffle, which had sparked calls for him to resign.

“He did not consult this time and that was the issue we raised. But that issue has been addressed in the organisation,” said Mantashe.