/ 19 June 2006

Sanco leader suspended for ‘lying to the nation’

Support for a third term for President Thabo Mbeki has cost South African National Civics Organisation leader Mlungisi Hlongwane his job, Business Day reported on Monday.

It said Hlongwane was suspended as president after his calls for a third term for Mbeki as head of state.

Also suspended was Sanco deputy general secretary Master Mahlobogoane.

Sanco Gauteng provincial secretary Toenka Matile said Hlongwane had been suspended at a meeting in Polokwane on Sunday of seven of the nine provinces.

The move against him came ”for dividing the organisation, lying to the nation and making proposals that have not been discussed by Sanco”, said Matile.

Hlongwane denied his suspension.

”Sanco’s national executive committee will go to a lekgotla at the end of July to discuss the issue of presidential succession,” he told the paper.

”Only after that will we be able to pronounce on the issue.” – Sapa