President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday warned against “half-ANC” members who supported the party when decisions favoured them.
“Let us not act like these individuals who are half-ANC, who, when told to step aside and give way to others decide, go and shout from the mountain top,” said Zuma.
In a visit to Sweetwaters in Pietermaritzburg, he also urged people to vote in big numbers to speed up service delivery by the government.
Zuma was welcomed to the stadium by the leadership of the Moses Mabhida region.
“When I was making regular trips to court I did not threaten to leave the party. I remained a member,” he said.
“If you feel the party has wronged you, go to the appropriate structures and raise them [your grievances], never assume that you are bigger than this organisation.”
Zuma said that by abstaining from voting people excluded themselves from any decision-making process.
“When a person says they will not vote, they show a lack of understanding of how much we fought for such a right.”
Zuma urged people with cars to fill their tanks on May 18 so they could help transport people to voting stations.
“That is the greatest national contribution that car-owners will have made, by ensuring that everyone goes to vote,” he said.
Zuma dismissed opposition parties, saying none of them had the credentials to match the ANC.
Before visiting Pietermaritzburg, Zuma visited kwaMashu, a township north of Durban. He wrapped up the day’s activities by visiting Richmond.
Zuma said the ANC was going for a clean sweep in municipalities and districts, but added that people should not expect change overnight.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Zweli Mkhize advised party members to put aside their branch grievances.
He said everyone should work towards ensuring an outright victory for the ANC in all councils and district municipalities. — Sapa