Eastern Cape premier and provincial chairman of the African National Congress, Makhenkesi Stofile, has squashed rumours that he plans to retire from politics before the end of the year.
He also vehemently denied that he intended standing for the position of ANC national chairman at the organisation’s national conference to be held in December.
Stofile said the rumours were unfounded and were emanating from certain people within the organisation.
”Retiring is not in my plans. But I know there are people who would like to see me go.”
Stofile suggested people were spreading rumours that he was going to retire and were campaigning against him throughout the province. He did not name them but indicated that they were within the ANC.
”This is not a new tactic, but people need to work within the constitution of the organisation,” Stofile said.
Stofile had been approached by several ANC members from various regions who asked him why he was not standing for chairmanship in the upcoming provincial conference.
He said the members expressed concern about a campaign of ”bad-mouthing” against certain leaders in the runup to the conference, which has since been postponed indefinitely.
Stofile reiterated a statement he made in 1999 that he would not avail himself for the premiership in 2004.
”Those who claimed I want to quit politics do not know me at all. I know where I want to go. I don’t want to be deputy president or national chairperson of the ANC at all, but I am leaving the government in 2004 and the ANC will have to look for somebody else to stand as premier,” Stofile said. – Sapa