Johannesburg - Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina has called on those speaking on behalf of the ANC to raise issues internally and not tear the movement apart.
Masina is the ANC Ekurhuleni chairman. He was speaking at the OR Tambo wreath-laying ceremony at Wattville, Benoni, east of Joburg.
President Jacob Zuma will deliver the keynote address.
Other dignitaries include ministers Nomvula Mokonyane, Des van Rooyen; Gauteng Premier David Makhura; and officials from the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
Tambo's son Dali and his wife Rachel, daughter Tselane, and other members of the Tambo family are also attending.
In his welcoming address Masina said Tambo, who led the ANC as president in exile for decades, had left the ruling party unified and intact.
“We hope the current leadership will emulate OR. We can't afford the ANC to be torn apart because we black discipline. Let those who speak on behalf of the ANC raise issues internally so that they don't tear the ANC apart,” he said.
Turning to Zuma, Masina who replaced Mondli Gungubele as mayor after the watershed municipal elections, said: “Mr President ... what is happening in the ANC is worrying all of us. It is important that we hold our horses, that we hold our views and allow the current leadership to lead.”
ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu has come under fire after calling on the ANC national executive committee, the highest decision making body between conferences,to step down.
@luyolomkentane
The Star