Pretoria – Members of the ANC must draw positive lessons from the decision to disband the ANCYL national executive committee (NEC) and the Limpopo ANC provincial executive committee (PEC), President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.

“The (ANC) NEC collective decided to dissolve the NEC of the Youth League precisely because of its continued ill-disciplined behaviour, which has brought the organisation into disrepute on numerous occasions,” he said in a speech prepared for delivery at the KwaZulu-Natal ANC provincial general council.

“On the same measure, we further decided to dissolve the Limpopo PEC because of institutionalised factionalism, which is un-ANC (sic).

“We encourage all our structures to draw positive lessons from this experience and forge ahead with the selfless struggle to make the lives of our people better.”

Zuma said nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of unity in the party.

“Let me take this opportunity to commend the comrades in erstwhile leadership of the Youth League and also the former Limpopo PEC for the manner in which they have responded to this directive from the organisation,” he said.

“They have respected the decision with humility and discipline. They have behaved in a manner that we expect ANC cadres to behave, to respect the authority of the organisation.”

He said members of the Youth League NEC and the Limpopo NEC were still members of the party.

“It is encouraging that the comrades are acting within the discipline of the organisation. The time for divisive and polarising political rhetoric is over. We must build the ANC,” Zuma said.

“The time for leaking information to the media and using journalists to divide the ANC must also come to an end. Already we are seeing progress in this regard.”

He said the African National Congress’s national conference in Mangaung in December had helped to draw a line against ill-discipline and factionalism.

“What stood out about that conference as well was the high levels of discipline and order. We proved that our movement remains an epitome of democracy and political maturity in the manner in which the conference was conducted,” Zuma said.

“Mangaung went smoothly and successfully, despite the so-called wise predictions from some sections of the media and analysts, who were saying authoritatively that the ANC would implode in Mangaung.

He said the ANC would mobilise millions of South Africans to defend the “gains of this hard-won democracy” during the national elections next year.

“We must prove to our people in word and in action that the ANC remains the only organisation capable of mobilising the broadest strata of society for fundamental social transformation,” Zuma said.

“We need unity and cohesion. That is why we commend the KZN province for working hard to achieve unity in the province, which has led to enormous success both in the ANC and governance.”

He congratulated the province for the way it had dealt with the “leadership question” at recent conferences.

“You have demonstrated that the unity of the ANC and its cohesion is more important than who is at the helm,” Zuma said.

“That is an important spirit, because the ANC is not about fighting for positions. It is about sacrifice, dedication and commitment.” – Sapa

The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) is not in a position to start work on the N1-N2 Winelands toll highway project in April, it said on Friday.

“Statements in this regard are mischievous and intended to influence public opinion in a particular direction,” said spokesman Vusi Mona.

“Sanral has never said it intends to start with the project or to conclude the concession contract on 20 April 2013.”

Mona was responding to a statement by the City of Cape Town on Wednesday that Sanral intended resuming the N1-N2 Winelands toll highway project.

Mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron said the city received notification from Sanral on March 6, and undertook to provide the city with 45 days’ notice of its intention to start working on the toll project.

“This means that Sanral could commence work on the project by 20 April 2013, without first resolving the city’s concerns,” said Herron.

He said a review application about the planned tolling was before the Western Cape High Court and was yet to be decided.

Mona said negotiations of contracts was a time-consuming and lengthy process.

“Only after the appointment of a concessionaire, and once funding has been secured, can the necessary works under the project be carried out.”

There had been exchanges between Sanral and the city about a possible meeting.

Mona said: “It is untrue that Sanral is not willing to engage the city… however, we have noted the city’s threatened action to interdict Sanral on the project.”

Although Sanral respects the city’s right to approach the court where it feels aggrieved, Sanral will also exercise its constitutional right in this respect, he said. – Sapa