By Political Bureau
DEPUTY President Kgalema Motlanthe has waded into the debate about the ANC's 2012 conference, warning national executive committee (NEC) members not to lobby or plot while tacitly cautioning those positioning themselves for the leadership elections that they are digging their own graves.
In an interview with Independent Newspapers, Motlanthe said he was not bothered by reports of a grouping within the ANC planning to challenge both his position and that of secretary-general Gwede Mantashe at the elective conference.
It has been reported, amid denials, that Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula wants to challenge Mantashe for his position, with some saying that ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa could make a bid for the ANC deputy presidency - Motlanthe's position.
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But Cosatu has vowed to defend the two former trade union leaders - accusing some within the ANC of wanting to purge the Left from the ruling party.
But Motlanthe says if the current NEC is outvoted in 2012, then so be it.
"If people are targeting 2012 and they are mobilising and lobbying for themselves, that's fine, that's their funeral. I wouldn't attend it... I won't join them," said Motlanthe.
However, he said that NEC members should desist from such practices, as it diminished their leadership standing.
"My view is that in the ANC, no member of the NEC should go out to the membership to canvass for himself or herself. I think once you do that you just lose the basis of leadership. It has to be the membership that says they want you serve in this or that capacity.
"That's why you will have a difficulty moving on if they have selected somebody else. I'd rather not be elected... (than to) go and canvass for anybody's support... if we are not elected in that conference, well and good." This was tantamount to buying votes, he said.
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