Dont+neglect+the+glue+that+holds+us+together,+M+Monare,+The+Star

The Star, Johannesburg, October 02, 2006 //Edition 1//
=Don't neglect the 'glue' that holds us together, warns Motlanthe=


 * Moshoeshoe Monare**

The ANC has admitted it might have used inconsistent and "artificial" standards to judge Jacob Zuma before allegations against him could be tested in a court of law.

Without reference to Zuma, ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe said the organisation should guard against using standards other than the rule of law and due process whenever there were allegations against "comrades".

"Due process means allegations shall be tested and the facts established. When I say we bring artificial standards into the organisation, we are creating inconsistencies and getting ourselves into trouble because there will always be allegations.

"When that happens, you must always allow for due process to establish the facts. But we put ourselves under pressure to act on the basis of allegations, Motlanthe told delegates at the Limpopo provincial general council on Saturday.

Even after Zuma was acquitted of rape, ANC national executive committee members such as ANC chairperson and Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota and Arts Minister Pallo Jordan insisted that the party should discuss the negative effect of the case on the organisation.

Motlanthe said any actions taken in the event of any problems in the organisation should be in the interests of unity.

"Sometimes temptation is very great because you think you are in the right and you pay absolutely no attention to what will happen to this glue (that holds the organisation together) … because this movement is far more important than all of us. We found it here, we will leave it here," he said.

President Thabo Mbeki fired Zuma on the basis of the latter's name being implicated in Schabir Shaik's corruption trial, a move that created fierce divisions in the ANC.

Motlanthe warned delegates against labelling rivals and "comrades" as a way of creating factions in the organisation.

"Labels are not good for the organisation; labels are good only for whisky bottles."

He said those in the middle of the so-called Zuma and Mbeki groupings should locate themselves within the ANC.

"Groupings are mostly intolerant. If you dare break rank, factions excommunicate you immediately.

"In the ANC you are always reserved the right to speak your mind freely," he added.

· Mbeki and Zuma were expected to meet in committee meetings today for the first time since the latter's corruption case was struck off the roll.

Zuma admitted during a press conference that they had not spoken since the incident, which has been interpreted as likely to fuel tensions within the ANC.


 * From: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3466571**

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