ANC statement on Mapaila's comments

The ANC dismisses assertions made by Comrade Solly Mapaila suggesting that there are ANC NEC members and Ministers who are targeting the NEC member and Minister of Higher Education Comrade Blade Nzimande, with a view to weaken him politically and to get him fired.

This line of thought is bound to create unnecessary tensions within the ANC leadership and Cabinet. The view of the ANC is that, both the ANC and government have closed ranks in addressing the recent students protests that resulted in the  organization and government expressing a singular view supporting a speedy resolution to matters raised by students. The Cabinet went further to express confidence in the role and leadership of Comrade Blade.

The ANC is unaware of the claims made by Comrade Mapaila of ANC NEC members and Cabinet Ministers who are targeting Comrade Blade. We will appreciate him coming forward with the names behind the alleged campaign. The issue of the ANCYL was resolved in an alliance meeting with PYA structures where the ANCYL withdrew their comments and called for the movement to close ranks. We call on all our structures including the alliance to desist using media for matters that can be raised internally.

Issued by Keith Khoza on behalf of the DIP, ANC National Office, 26 October 2015