'ANC unity won't be sacrificed'

Dada Morero has said he will stand for a second term as the Greater Joburg chair

- Lunga Mzangwe

ANC Greater Johannesburg regional chairperson and Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has warned those contesting for positions in an upcoming elective conference not to sabotage the work of the local government to further their ambitions.

Morero said a recent meeting of the provincial task team (PTT) running the ANC in Gauteng had made it clear that undisciplined jostling for positions was not helpful given the party's waning support.

"The ANC took the view that fighting for positions in conferences, while the ANC is in decline electorally, is not helpful. The lekgotla reiterated this, and we expect that even if we are contesting, the work that must be done in government should continue," he said.

"The mayor has to do his work, and the mayor should be given space; otherwise, if he fails, it's the ANC that fails — not me. Should I fail, the people would be saying, 'Who is Dada Morero?' Then they'll say, 'Oh, it's the ANC,' and conclude that the ANC has failed.

"The ANC is alive to that fact, and that is why the ANC will give me all the necessary support to ensure that I succeed as the face of the ANC in Johannesburg."

At the two-day meeting in Johannesburg three weeks ago, the provincial task team told regional officials, members of the provincial legislature caucus, municipal representatives and national executive committee (NEC) members to craft a recovery plan for the embattled party, after support plummeted to 40% in last year's general elections, resulting in President Cyril Ramaphosa forming a national government of national unity.

The task team warned it would not tolerate acts that further divide the party in the lead-up to the regional conferences. Allegations have surfaced that some of those contesting in the Johannesburg regional conference are buying votes, reportedly paying branch members R500 to R1 000 to secure their support.