GWEDE DOESN'T NEED PROTECTION FROM MSHOLOZI

The ANC would like to dismiss any notion that our Secretary General, Cde Gwede Mantashe needs protection from the President of the ANC (see NUMSA statement). Comrade Gwede Mantashe, like all elected leaders of the ANC, enjoys full support and the confidence of all ANC structures as evidenced by his election at the Polokwane conference in 2007.

He has undertaken his mandated functions without any hinders and continues to be the anchor of all ANC activities in ensuring that the ANC lives and the ANC leads. The term of elected office of cde Gwede has never been and is not under any threat, there is therefore no reason why he should be protected by the President of the ANC.

The ANC National Conference in 2012 will determine the leadership of the movement. Branches and other structures of the ANC will at an appropriate time in 2012, as instructed by the processes and constitution of the ANC, nominate man and women who will lead the ANC from 2012 to 2017. We would like to again reiterate the call of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC that no structures of the movement and its alliance partners should engage on the 2012 leadership succession debate at this stage. We call upon  all our structures ,including all our leagues, all our alliance partners, particularly COSATU and its affiliate NUMSA to disengage from this debate as it  is not only pre mature but is also counter productive  as it is a detraction or all of us  in fulfilling the promises we made  to our people.

We call upon all our structures including COSATU and its affiliate NUMSA to concentrate all the efforts towards the implementation of the promises we made in the e2009 elections campaign which are improving our education system, improving our health system, building safer communities, grow the economy and create decent jobs for our people, ensuring development of our rural communities amongst others. Lets also concentrate our efforts on making our local government work better and pull all stops to host a successful FIFA Soccer World Cup in June this year.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, February 19 2010

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