ANC leaders call for party unity at funeral for bus crash victims

23 April 2016 - 16:40 By Dominic Mahlangu

ANC leaders attending a mass funeral service for 10 supporters who died in a horror bus crash last Sunday have called for party unity ahead of the coming local government elections.The victims were travelling back to Johannesburg from Port Elizabeth on Sunday morning after attending the launch of the ANC’s election manifesto for the forthcoming local government elections when their bus crashed near Winburg in the Free State.Thousands of ANC supporters attended their funeral at Katlehong on the East Rand on Saturday.President Jacob Zuma said that their deaths should be remembered by all. He said their deaths should not be in vain as they had died believing in the work of the ANC.He said the party in the province and the region of Ekurhuleni should honour the victims by working harder. Zuma‚ who had to leave the event early‚ said it was important for the ANC to be united and win the coming elections. The president thanked the families of the victims for allowing their families to work for the ANC.Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa told mourners at the funeral that they should protect the image of the organisation from those who continued to attack it.He said the 10 volunteers that died in the bus crash would tell Nelson Mandela and other of the party’s fallen heroes that the ANC was strong. He said it was important to keep the legacy of the party intact.Ramaphosa added that the coming local government elections should be dedicated to the Ekurhuleni 10.Free state Premier Ace Magashula‚ who also attended the funeral‚ told the gathered ANC members that the organisation should soldier on. He said the ruling party should remain united and not allow itself to be divided. He said members should respect its leadership.For a moment the funeral service turned into one big party event with ANC members breaking into song. Led by ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini‚ members danced around the 10 coffins lined across the stage. Dlamini said the ANC should give the fallen members a resounding send off. Dance and song continued for more than five minutes...

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