Mantashe, Mbaks defend president's praise for DA councils

Although some top ANC leaders want President Cyril Ramaphosa booted out for his controversial comments about ANC municipalities being outperformed by DA-run municipalities, national chair Gwede Mantashe is standing by Ramaphosa.

- Itumeleng Mafisa

Ramaphosa told ANC councillors in Soweto last week that they should learn from DA-run municipalities about how to produce clean audits.

But according to weekend reports, some top leaders in the party believe that Ramaphosa's comments have sabotaged the party's local government campaign and they want him to step down before next year's elections.

But during his visit to the Western Cape on Sunday, Mantashe said ANC councillors must stop sulking and focus on improving.

"There is nothing wrong in comparing an ANC council with a DA council.