President Thabo Mbeki and other members of the African National Congress leadership — including Jacob Zuma — were gathering in Cape Town on Sunday for the launch of the party’s local government election campaign.
The launch, at the city’s Athlone Stadium, coincides with the 94th anniversary of the ANC’s founding on January 8 1912.
In addition to releasing the party’s election manifesto, Mbeki would deliver the customary January 8 address, setting out the ANC’s priorities for the year.
The Sunday Times reported that Mbeki would unveil an election manifesto that promises R400-billion in infrastructure investment over the next five years, with improvements in electricity supply, sanitation and other basic services to all households, including those in squatter camps and rural areas.
The manifesto also promises to fight laziness, arrogance and corruption in party ranks and in the public service.
The ANC expects the R400-billion investment to produce the 6% economic growth rate that the government has been set as a target, the Sunday Times said.
The party also aims to improve interaction with communities through ward committees, and ANC councillors will need to sign a pledge committing themselves to live in the community that elected them, among other commitments.
The ANC said this week that despite his self-imposed suspension from the deputy presidency of the party as he awaits trial on corruption and rape charges, Zuma would be campaigning for it.
The decision to allow Zuma to campaign is ”deeply hypocritical”, said the official opposition Democratic Alliance in reaction on Thursday.
Acting DA leader Joe Seremane said the decision ”confirms once again that the governing party has thrown away its moral compass”.
Also on Thursday, ANC deputy secretary general Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele said there was ”no contradiction” between earlier statements about Zuma and ”Comrade Jacob Zuma’s participation in the local government election”.
Although the position being taken about Zuma remains blurred, it is apparent that he can canvass and participate in campaigns — but may not pronounce from a public podium.
The polls take place on March 1. — Sapa