Birthday truce in tatters: ANC faction fight hots up
Tension between the pro-Jacob Zuma faction and those calling for his removal as ANC president intensified this week ahead of the crucial appeal hearing of suspended ANC Youth League president Julius Malema and his officials.
With just 10 months before the ANC's watershed elective conference in Mangaung both factions were trying to gain the high ground this week, with ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe lashing out at treasurer general Mathews Phosa for questioning the decision to suspend Malema and Cabinet's decision to place five Limpopo provincial departments under administration.
The league has hit back at Mantashe, accusing him and Zuma in a confidential letter seen by the Mail & Guardian of inconsistency in applying issues of discipline in the organisation.
The split also played itself out in Cabinet, with critics of the President saying he was allowing the government tail to wag the ANC dog and dictate policy to Luthuli House. This relates to Zuma's decision to break with tradition by convening a Cabinet lekgotla before the ANC's extended national executive committee (NEC) lekgotla.
http://mg.co.za/article/2012-01-20-anc-faction-fight-hots-up