Stop intimidating Motlanthe, says ANCYL

Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe

Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe

Published Nov 22, 2012

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Johannesburg - The ANC Youth League in Gauteng has warned Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini to stop “intimidating” Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe from challenging President Jacob Zuma in Mangaung.

ANCYL provincial chairman and Sports MEC Lebogang Maile on Wednesday told Cosatu and SACP leaders in the province to refrain from interfering in internal ANC processes, especially succession debates.

He also accused unnamed Gauteng ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) members of plotting to topple provincial ANC leader Paul Mashatile after Mangaung. Mashatile, who is also Arts and Culture Minister, is seen as anti-Zuma.

Maile made his statements at a media briefing held to confirm the league’s endorsement of Motlanthe as its preferred candidate to take over from Zuma at the ANC’s national elective conference next month.

Maile claimed three Gauteng PEC members were plotting to use “tricks” to unseat Mashatile. He refused to name the alleged plotters.

“We are also aware that there are intentions to create instability and disorder in the province to allow the NEC to disband the Gauteng executive post-Mangaung. We will not fold our arms as young people on this matter. We want to see action being taken against these ill-disciplined members because they are setting the wrong precedents,” Maile insisted.

ANC Gauteng spokesman Dumisa Ntuli refused to comment on the matter.

Maile said while the Gauteng ANC Women’s League was within its right to nominate Zuma, most of its leaders - who were members of the Gauteng provincial legislature - took their decision in the hope of retaining their jobs and securing their pensions.

“We are young. We can bounce back,” Maile insisted.

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The Star

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