Mthembu flays 'jealous' Zille

REMARKS by Helen Zille, leader of the Democratic Alliance, about the re-election of Jacob Zuma as president of the ANC were informed by jealousy.

So says ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu, who last night issued a statement criticising Zille for her comments that the Mangaung delegates' choice of party president was a "sad day for all South Africans".

Zille further said: "His [Zuma's] lack of leadership on any of the major policy questions that we face will continue, as will the corruption and abuse of public resources that has so far characterised his time in office."

In response, Mthembu said: "The nature of remarks in her statement exposes Zille's personal hatred of the ANC in her clumsy attempt to clamber [for] the media attention given to the ANC conference."

Mthembu reserved further criticism for Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretary of Cosatu.

Vavi had also earlier expressed his concern over the Mangaung conference, saying the previous two days had not been "a great show of unity" and that he hoped a winner-takes-all attitude would not be adopted.

"That will be a tragedy. The winner-takes-all mentality is a recipe for disaster in terms of unity."

Mthembu said the ruling party's organisational report - delivered by secretary-general Gwede Mantashe - had raised concerns that "Cosatu's public posture at times causes problems for the ANC".

Mthembu said: "Some of the issues Cde Vavi raised should have been reserved for alliance engagements and not dangled [before] the media."

Vavi last night declined nomination to serve on the ANC's national executive committee.