Self-Serving Leaders Are a Liability to the ANC

Zweli Mkhize, African National Congress provincial leader for KwaZulu Natal has urged party leaders to work for the people. He stressed that those who are only working for themselves will damage the ruling party., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Mkhize: Self-serving leaders a liability to the ANC

23 MAR 2013 06:57 - SAPA

Outgoing KwaZulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize has urged ANC branches to work for the masses.

"KwaZulu-Natal leadership learnt a lesson that it is important for both party and government leaders at all levels to listen to the voices of ordinary people and respond to their plight at all times," Mkhize said.

This was important in reducing service delivery protests in the province, he said.

"In our case we have seen masses install and remove governments. They cannot be right to put us into office and be wrong to take us out of office," Mkhize said.

He said self-serving leaders were a liability to both the ANC and the people.

Mkhize was speaking at the African National Congress' three-day provincial general council at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Westville, Durban.

Intra-party attacks

He also called for the ANC to work towards eradicating political violence.

"There have been instances where leaders have been targeted and killed in intra-party attacks.

"There has been a worrying wave of deaths inside the ANC, sometimes involving ANC members and supporters," said Mkhize.

He said it was up to the ANC to "stamp this tendency out".

Mkhize will be replaced as ANC provincial chairperson during the three-day ANC provincial general council.

Provincial deputy chairperson Willies Mchunu and education MEC Senzo Mchunu have been nominated to succeed him.

According to the ANC constitution, the party's leaders are not supposed to hold two positions at the same time.

Mkhize was elected as the ANC's treasurer general at its national conference in Mangaung in December.

– Sapa