The African National Congress in Mpumalanga has confidence in President Jacob Zuma and will continue to support him, its chairman and premier David Mabuza said on Thursday.
“The question of (ANC) leadership has been concluded from where we stand. Hands off our president,” Mabuza told delegates at the provincial nomination conference in Middelburg.
A total of 469 delegates from across the province, which is a Zuma stronghold, are nominating their preferred leaders for the ANC's elective conference in Mangaung next month.
Mabuza urged delegates to “act accordingly” during the conference.
“In this current climate within the organisation, members should avoid any slightest confrontation and deliver a successful conference.”
The Mangaung conference should “draw a line” and deal with the current erosion of the values of the ANC.
“We agree with Zuma when he says the party needs to change into second gear after Mangaung. That time has come.”
Delegates chanted the names of their preferred leaders, including Zuma, national executive committee member Cyril Ramaphosa, secretary general Gwede Mantashe and ANC deputy chairwoman Baleka Mbethe. - Sapa