THE ANC has observed Zukile Majova's article, "Power struggle on ANC doorstep", with dismay.

There is no tension or bad blood between the ANC chairperson Paul Mashatile and his deputy Nomvula Mokonyane. The two leaders conduct the ANC's work with commitment, honesty and great personal integrity. They speak, laugh and get things done.

The issue of tensions and power blocs is created by the media. There is not a shred of evidence that the leaders have ever spoken badly of each other.

The article insinuates that the ANC Gauteng leadership is jostling for positions and power rather than focusing on the key task of serving the people.

The ANC believes that the article engages in re-focusing our members and structures to issues of leadership for a conference that is still 14 months away. This causes doubt about the writer's ability to investigate issues and write about them accurately.

When lies are persistently told many people start believing them. The ANC leadership remains steadfastly committed to serving until the end of the term. The preoccupation with the conference puts a strain on the movement's cadres to focus on important campaigns and organisational rejuvenation in our quest to maintain cohesion and unity.

This form of reporting overlooks the enormous task that the ANC and the government are doing to bring a better life for our communities.

Dumisa Ntuli, Communications Director, ANC Gauteng