Publication: Sunday Times Issued: Date: 2005-11-20 Reporter: Moipone Malefane Reporter: Ndivhuho Mafela Reporter: Brendan Boyle

ANC ‘Crisis’ Meeting in Overdrive

 

Publication 

Sunday Times

Date

2005-11-20

Reporter

 Moipone Malefane,
Ndivhuho Mafela,
Brendan Boyle

Web Link

www.sundaytimes.co.za

 

African National Congress bigwigs were yesterday locked in a marathon National Executive Committee meeting where “a substantial report” compiled by the party’s president, Thabo Mbeki, and his embattled deputy, Jacob Zuma, was discussed.

The “crisis” meeting in Kempton Park started on Friday morning and went on until about 10pm yesterday.

The crisis in the ANC is described by the organisation’s leaders as the worst in its 94-year history.

ANC spokesman Smuts Ngonyama would not comment on the contents of the report.

Facilitated by the ANC secretary-general, Kgalema Motlanthe, the report aims to heal bitter party divisions sparked by Mbeki’s dismissal of Zuma from his Cabinet.

The fall-out between Mbeki and Zuma has split the ANC.

Zuma is to stand trial on charges of corruption at the Durban High Court next year.

This follows the conviction of his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, who was described earlier this year by Judge Hillary Squires as having a “generally corrupt relationship” with Zuma.

Vociferous Zuma supporters claim there is a political conspiracy — led by Mbeki — to thwart Zuma’s chances of becoming the next president of the country and party.

ANC officials who spoke to the Sunday Times on condition of anonymity yesterday described the meeting as “very tense”.

Eyebrows were raised when Mbeki’s convoy was seen leaving the venue yesterday afternoon while the meeting was still in progress. Mbeki was scheduled to be there all day.

The Sunday Times team saw his convoy leaving the venue of the meeting at 4.30pm yesterday although it could not be confirmed whether Mbeki was in any of the cars.

Ngonyama insisted that Mbeki was present throughout yesterday.

“We are all here. He is also here,” said Ngonyama without explaining further.

A senior ANC leader attending the meeting said it was unlikely the matter would be resolved yesterday. He said they would have to meet again today.

He said there “is a substantial report from Mbeki and Zuma”, but would not say how many pages it contained. He said the “report contains substantial history and analysis”.

He said neither Mbeki nor Zuma had spoken by yesterday afternoon.

Only members in attendance were expressing their views, he said.

He told the Sunday Times that the mood “is better than at the last NEC, when there was strong criticism of the leadership. There is no crisis.”

He also said “members are optimistic that we will be able to resolve the problem”.

Asked if any option under consideration would see Zuma not standing trial, he shied away and described the matter as “too sensitive”.

“It’s not about one person or another. I am sure the movement will find a way to solve the problem and to move forward.”

With acknowledgements to Moipone Malefane, Ndivhuho Mafela, Brendan Boyle and Sunday Times.