E Cape ANC welcomes Zuma address

Independent Newspapers

ANC members who are convicted of fraud, theft or corruption could be immediately expelled from the party in the future. File photo by Phill Magakoe

The Eastern Cape ANC welcomed the political direction offered by ANC president Jacob Zuma during the opening address of the ANC policy conference in Midrand on Tuesday.

“The manner in which he expounded on the reasons why we should discuss the second transition in the strategy and tactics document exhibited the urgency needed by our people for the ANC to hasten attending to the transformation of our society,” provincial spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyane said in statement.

“As the ANC in the Eastern Cape, we welcome the frank political direction given by comrade president Jacob Zuma when he was imparting his policy conference opening speech.”

He said Zuma's emphasis on organisational renewal, credibility of the leadership, and the fight against incumbency, fraud and corruption were “exactly what the ANC needs as we engage each (other) in this policy conference”.

“To us, this is a defining moment of our policy conference... We must all protect the image and reputation of the ANC against negative perceptions attempting to paint us as a divided (party) with weak leadership occupied by lust for money, power and tenders...,” Qoboshiyane said.

In the address Zuma said the party needed to cleanse itself of “alien tendencies”.

These included ill-discipline, patronage, careerism, corruption, abuse of power and a decline in the ideological depth of ANC members.

He said the party had “taken action and will continue to take action against anyone who crosses the line”. - Sapa