Vote against corrupt leaders, Mantashe tells branches

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 that is the fact of the matter.

Mantashe appealed to ANC branches to exercise caution when nominating their preferred leaders for the national conference in December, saying the onus was on them to ensure they do not elect “cor- rupt leaders”.

“Let’s continue to discuss the leadership of the ANC, analysing the behaviour 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 and hell-bent on looting state resources,” Mantashe told ANC members at OR Tambo Hall in Mthatha yesterday.

He was in the area to deliver the Chris Hani memorial lecture. The lecture was attended by ANC NEC member Beauty Dlulane, the party’s provincial executive committee members, Fundile Gade and William Ngozi, as well as leaders of the OR Tambo region.

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

“Corruption and factionalism are intertwined. Let’s be frank about leaders and call them thieves if they are. 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 said if branches were not paying attention to factionalism and corruption “within the movement” an “accidental leadership succession” would emerge after the December conference.

ANC OR Tambo regional chairperson Xolile Nkompela said the ANC was at a crossroads and in greater need of credible leadership. He said the ANC was unable to lead society, “and instead it’s the society which is leading the ANC”.

“We are the second biggest region in the country. When we go to conferences we are sure of the numbers. Even though the nomination process is yet to be opened, we support Gwede Mantashe. If you want to mess with this region, mess with Gwede,” Nkompela said.

The OR Tambo region, which includes areas like Mthatha, Tsolo, Lusikisiki, Port St Johns, Libode, Qumbu, Ngqeleni and Flagstaff, is the Easten Cape’s biggest. It also the party’s second biggest region after eThekwini.

Mantashe reiterated that President Jacob Zuma had not consulted the leadership of the ANC ahead of his recent cabinet reshuffle which sparked calls from the public for him to resign. “He always consulted (but) he did not consult this time. But that issue has been addressed in the organisation,” said Mantashe.