President does not hold back during political report

He launched an attack against the courts, the ANC alliance partners, the media as well as the factionalism that has plagued the organisation.

On the courts

“ANC members should use internal dispute resolution processes. Judges should not be asked to dictate the ANC organisational processes and the direction of the movement.

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“I think comrades, we should discuss these matters seriously and take a serious decision''. 

“It is not in keeping with the customs and the policies of the ANC that if you disagree with something, you no longer allow the structures of the organisation to address that matter."

 The ANC has been hit with multiple court battles ahead of its national conference.

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The High Court in Bloemfontein nullified the ANC’s Free State provincial conference.  There has also been adverse judgements in North West and KwaZulu-Natal. 

On factions

“It is because of factionalism that we have seen the emergence of splinter groups over the past ten years that negatively affected our movement both qualitatively and quantitatively.

“Slate politics another manifestation of factionalism, has cost us many good and capable comrades in whom our movement has invested significantly."

ANC factions have been clearly visible ahead of the conference, amid the leadership battle between Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC MP Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Delegates were discouraged from singing divisive songs, but songs in support of the various candidates could be heard ahead of President Zuma’s speech.

On tripartite alliance tensions

“In an unprecedented move we saw in the past few months our alliance partners marching side by side with right wing forces who are historically opponents of our democratic revolution, calling for the president of the ANC to step down.

“A decision was taken by our allies to bar the President of the ANC from attending or addressing any of their gatherings.” 

The SACP was the first of the alliance partners to call for President Zuma to step down, after he was implicated in the Public Protector's state capture report.

On the media

“We should also be mindful of the fact that the media is an active participant with vested interest rather than an impartial and fair observer of ANC matters.

“The mobilization of the media against the country and the ANC, from Johannesburg to London, NY and Washington DC has gained momentum in the past few months.

“We need to reflect on how to communicate with our people in a climate where forces hostile to the ANC control the means of platforms of communications."

President Zuma’s criticism come amid the Gupta emails scandal that mired President Jacob Zuma, his son Duduzane Zuma, the Guptas and other ministers in allegations of state capture.