SANCO+censors+its+ousted+president,+Sapa

JOHANNESBURG 19 December 2006 Sapa
=SANCO CENSORS ITS OUSTED PRESIDENT=

The SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) interim leadership has ordered its former president Mlungisi Hlongwane to stop making public statements on behalf of the organisation.

"He is no longer Sanco president and should stop conducting himself as if he is still Sanco's leader," said the organisation's interim chairperson Toenka Matila.

He was speaking at a press briefing in Parktown on Tuesday.

Sanco dissolved its leadership following the organisation's chaotic conference in Bloemfontein a week ago.

The leadership was replaced by a national co-ordinating committee chaired by Matila, who is Sanco's Gauteng provincial secretary.

Matila said the former president will be asked to clarify the political report he presented at the Bloemfontein national conference in which he made serious allegations against Cosatu and some members of Sanco's national leadership.

Sanco is facing serious in-fighting and its relevance is being questioned.

Matila said the organisation still has a significant role to play.

"Sanco can play an important role in assisting government in dealing with housing and the crime situation in the country."

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