Ramatlhodi apologises for Mbeki jibe

Former Limpopo premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi has apologised for publicly claiming that President Thabo Mbeki’s “autocratic behaviour” was dividing the party.

The African National Congress National Working Committee (NWC) had “received and accepted” his unconditional apology, it said after its regular Monday meeting in Johannesburg.

Ramatlhodi had apologised to the ANC in general, the broad democratic movement, the South African public and, in particular, to Mbeki.

A member of both the ANC national working committee and National Executive Committee, he “expressed regret” over casting “aspersions on the ability of the ANC leadership to build unity and cohesion”.

Ramatlhodi made the statements at the Free State general council of the ANC last month.

At the time, ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama called on all ANC leaders and members “to work to strengthen the organisation”.

He said the NEC had “unanimously rejected the notion that individuals are required to choose sides, on the basis of the absolutely false assertion that the [ANC] president and deputy president are leading contending factions within the movement”.

The ANC said a political overview by its president, reports by officials and the NWC, and the Civil Unions Bill would be on the agenda of its NEC meeting from October 6 to 8.

It would also discuss a strategy and tactics framework document—presented to the NWC on Monday—in preparation for a policy conference in mid-2007. - Sapa