[Debate] (Fwd) ANC kremlinology: Phosa splitting from Zuma?

[Patrick Bond]

  Phosa publicly in Malema's corner

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By: Sabelo Ndlangisa 2012-01-15 10:00 ANC treasurer Mathews Phosa has 
come out publicly in defence of suspended ANC Youth League leader Julius 
Malema.

"I know Juju is worried about the (disciplinary appeal hearing), but I 
want to assure him that the ANC has no dustbin for comrades. If comrades 
make mistakes, we find a mechanism to address them," Phosa said.

This is the first time since Malema's five-year suspension from the ANC 
last year that one of the top six officials has come out in his defence.

Most leaders have cautiously been steering clear of associating with him 
closely. Malema's appeal is set to be heard next Monday.

At the ANC's Limpopo centenary rally in Sekhukhune yesterday, which was 
also attended by Malema, Phosa set himself on a collision course with 
President Jacob Zuma by accusing the national government of stealing 
Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale's powers. Cabinet has put five provincial 
departments under administration after the bankrupt province failed to 
pay service providers last year.

Phosa urged Mathale to bring the matter before the ANC.

"We would like to know, as the NEC, (National Executive Committee) the 
impact that this had on service delivery in the province in order for us 
to tell our government what can be done here and there.

"If it is true that service providers have not been paid, it is wrong 
and it must be addressed," Phosa said.

Switching to a local dialect of Sepedi, which he called seTokwa, he said 
"you must not try to fix, yet you are destroying" to the applause of the 
crowd.

Phosa also said the NEC welcomed the outcome of the contentious December 
conference. Mathale's detractors complained to the party's national 
leadership about alleged irregularities. The NEC will consider this at 
its meeting in the first week of February.

Malema steered clear of controversy but made snide remarks about the 
omission of the role of the youth league in the retelling of ANC 
history, seen as a swipe at Zuma's January 8 speech in Mangaung last Sunday.

Sandi Sejake, the ANC Veterans League president, bemoaned what he said 
were "syndicates" that had taken over the election of leadership in the 
ANC at all levels, and called on it to return to the vision of its 
founders and those who came after them.
City Press

***


  ANC split widens as Phosa sticks to guns

ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa says he won't comment because the 
party's secretary-general Gwede Mantashe's statement and subsequent 
radio comments are "not reconcilable"
SAM MKOKELI
Published: 2012/01/19 06:53:01 AM

AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) treasurer-general Mathews Phosa 
yesterday refused to back down after party bosses slapped him on the 
wrist for criticising the suspension of youth league leader Julius Malema.

This is the latest twist in the ANC's power battle that is associated 
with the leadership contest that has divided the party at all levels.

In an ANC statement on Tuesday, secretary-general Gwede Mantashe 
reprimanded Mr Phosa for his statement at the weekend that appeared to 
support Mr Malema in his disciplinary process.

Mr Phosa told an ANC centenary rally in Limpopo on Saturday the party 
had no "dustbin" to dump problematic members.

"I know Juju is worried about the (disciplinary process), but I want to 
assure him the ANC has no dustbin for comrades. If comrades make 
mistakes, we find a mechanism to address them," Mr Phosa said, according 
to City Press.

Mr Malema has appealed against his five-year suspension from the ANC, 
and his appeal hearing is due to start on Monday.

The ruling party's top six officials --- of which Mr Phosa is a member 
--- had met on Monday, and Mr Mantashe's reprimand to Mr Phosa was made 
yesterday.

The top six officials are divided, with Mr Phosa said to be linked to a 
group that is opposed to President Jacob Zuma 's re-election.

Mr Mantashe, on behalf of the top six, said ANC officials had a duty to 
uphold unity, and a decision was made that they should refrain from 
commenting on Mr Malema's continuing disciplinary matter.

Mr Phosa said he did not want to comment because Mr Mantashe's statement 
and subsequent radio comments were "not reconcilable".

But Mr Mantashe was adamant last night there was no contradiction 
between his radio comments and the official statement. He said he was 
communicating a clear message that ANC officials needed to be united.

"We better ensure that we send one message out there," he said.

He said Mr Phosa had explained the context of his weekend speech to the 
meeting on Monday, but was told by other leaders all the top officials 
needed to stick to one message.

He said a decision was made for top officials not to comment on 
continuing disciplinary matters.

Mr Mantashe said it was unfortunate the damage had already been done by 
Mr Phosa's message, and "you can't pull it back". It is understood that 
Mr Phosa is not backing down as he saw nothing wrong with his comments.

During his speech on Saturday, Mr Phosa also questioned the Cabinet's 
decision to take control of five Limpopo departments, saying the 
national government was "stealing" Premier Cassel Mathale's power. The 
Cabinet took control of the departments late last year when the 
provincial government was in the red.

Limpopo leaders see the takeover as a ploy to reduce the influence of Mr 
Mathale, a close ally of Mr Malema's. Other ANC leaders fear the Limpopo 
government could be used to finance the campaign to remove Mr Zuma.

Mr Mantashe said Monday's meeting also supported the Cabinet's right to 
intervene in Limpopo. "The decision taken by the national government of 
placing these departments under administration is an intervention that 
is meant to tighten government administration, and this decision is 
supported by the findings of the auditor-general. As the ANC, we are 
responsible for reinforcing good governance and accountable 
administration," he said.

He said ANC officials needed to "stick to (the) policies" of the party. 
"Loyalty to decisions that have been taken by the ANC based on 
organisational or governance prescripts will minimise the multiplicity 
of messages."

mkokelis at bdfm.co.za


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