×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Motala 'a bona fide ANC member'

HASSAN Motala, who on Tuesday told scores of journalists that he would "never join the ANC", has surprisingly changed his tune.

In an about-turn yesterday he denied various statements he had made to journalists at a briefing held on Monday while sitting next to IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

At the Monday briefing Motala said he was forced to wear an ANC T-shirt after he had gone to the speaker's office in the Durban city hall for a business meeting last Thursday. Motala, wearing the ANC T-shirt, appeared on all SABC channels at the time.

But two days after the declaration Motala released a press statement through ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala, who said a business meeting never took place.

"The ANC organised a press briefing to welcome new members who had joined the party and Hassan was among those members.

"The ANC doesn't force anyone to join it. That would be unconstitutional and against democratic principles," Zikalala said.

Yesterday the ANC confirmed that Motala was a "bona fide member of the ANC".

Motala family spokesperson Yacob Motala said they had never involved themselves with the "political activities of Hassan".

"The family maintains that whatever party he aligns himself with is his choice," he said.

The broadcast last Thursday showed KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairperson Zweli Mkhize welcoming Motala together with former IFP Youth Brigade chairperson S'khumbuzo Khanyeza.

Looking shaken on Tuesday, Motala said: "I can never imagine myself being a member of the ANC, the IFP is the party for the people."

He said immediately after he was "intimidated into wearing the ANC T-shirt" he contacted Buthelezi.

Yesterday, Motala denied that his family business had secured lucrative contracts from the ANC-led government to supply stationery to the department of education.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.