SACP clarifies position on ANC succession
The South African Communist Party (SACP) says it has not endorsed any individual leader's name for the leadership of the ANC.
This comes after various media reports claiming the SACP has openly endorsed Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as Jacob Zuma's successor.
SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo says the party presented its position in the last Augmented Central Committee statement released on 16 December 2016.
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"Rather than simply focusing on names of those who should be elected as ANC President, other office bearers and National Executive Committee members, there has to be a consideration of the criteria for effective leadership. A key consideration would be the capacity of a leader and leadership collective to avoid being factionalist and unite the ANC, the Alliance and the historical support base of our liberation struggle... The Augmented Central Committee expressed its concern that for a 105-year old liberation movement it is unacceptable that the ANC does not have a clear policy on leadership succession, and urges that it develops such a policy and implements it as soon as possible," the statement read.
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Mashilo says the SACP will not shy away from taking part in the succession debate.
"The SACP will contribute to the debate on the principles and leadership qualities required to take not only the ANC but also our shared national democratic revolution forward and lead our Alliance successfully," says Mashilo.
He says the party reiterates its policy position that it will leave the election of ANC leadership to ANC members within the framework of ANC rules and processes.