Stop focus on ANC – Zuma

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has called on the SA Communist Party (SACP), Cosatu and the SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) to stop discussing the ANC leadership succession – instead of focusing on dealing with their own problems.

Zuma said the SACP had failed to promote socialism, which was much needed in South Africa, while Cosatu had paid little attention to challenges facing workers.

He was addressing hundreds of church leaders, their followers and ANC supporters in Durban on Sunday, during a prayer service dedicated to asking for protection from his adversaries.

Zuma lashed out at certain ANC leaders for holding meetings in “dark corners” to discuss party matters, instead of doing so within legitimate party structures.

He also said he was being harassed despite his previous announcements that he would not again run for the presidency of the ANC and the country.

The prayer gathering at People’s Park in Durban was a reaction to several calls for Zuma to step down before the end of his term in 2019.

In reference to the SACP, Zuma said “some people should talk about socialism instead of the ANC”.

“They have time to waste discussing ANC on Saturday and Sunday. They don’t talk about themselves while they have serious problems of their own.