Sasco+members+snub+Phumzile,+News24

News 24, Johannesburg, 21/08/2005 22:26 - (SA)
=Sasco members 'snub' Phumzile=


 * Alicestine October**


 * Johannesburg** - Deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was on Sunday interrupted in the middle of a sentence when the KwaZulu-Natal delegation of the student organisation Sasco walked out of the Chris Hani memorial hall near the FNB stadium south of Johannesburg.

Mlambo-Ngcuka was addressing Sasco members on the last day of the organisation's five-day national conference.

The deputy president had hardly started her 20-page speech when about 20 Sasco members from KZN left the hall. Most of them were dressed in red "We support Zuma 100%" T-shirts.

Other Sasco members clapped their hands and beat rhythmically on tables as the delegation walked out in single file.

Nqaba Bhanga, national secretary-general of Sasco, called the members to order after a clearly confused Mlambo-Ngcuka returned to her seat.


 * 'Transport problems'**

Sammy Mashita, Sasco chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, who was clearly upset, also stood up and admonished the members.

Mashita said it would be decided how these members of the delegation should be disciplined.

He later said the delegation had to leave early because they had transport problems.

Sasco's national executive committee, by means of Bhanga, sharply criticised the behaviour of the KZN delegation.

"It is one of our ANC traditions that the necessary respect be paid while a leader is talking."

Bhanga said the incident would be investigated and the "right steps will be taken against these members".

Bhanga also referred to the recent raids in connection with former deputy president Jacob Zuma.

"I agree with Blade Nzimande who says it is the collective responsibility of all ANC structures to support Zuma.

"But all of us must do so in the correct manner - Sasco too."


 * From: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/Politics/0,,2-7-12_1757479,00.html**