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No to corrupt Gupta comrades

If the tone set at the ANC Eastern Cape policy conference yesterday is anything to go by, the party in the province is emerging as a strong anti-Zuma block.

President Jacob Zuma was scheduled to appear at the gathering in East London, but had not arrived by the time of going to print.

His replacement, national executive committee member Fikile Xasa, pulled no punches against the "Guptas and their friends" in the party, calling for their isolation.

Zuma made a surprise appearance at KwaZulu-Natal's policy conference on Friday night, and was expected to close the Eastern Cape conference.

Zuma has not appeared at any ANC event of provincial significance in the Eastern Cape this year, while his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the January 8th anniversary celebrations in Mthatha early this year.

Xasa, addressing hundreds of hyped-up delegates, said it was unfortunate the Guptas had assumed power when the people of South Africa had voted the ANC into power.

"Those among us within the ANC who are allowing the Guptas to infiltrate us must be isolated. We must isolate the Guptas and their friends and we will not be silenced by anyone on this," he said.

"This Gupta thing, we associate it with corruption, and corruption is hurting the ANC. Speaking against that is how we are going to renew the ANC."

Xasa, who is also MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs in the province, encouraged the gathering to craft solid policy proposals that would have a positive impact at the national policy conference of the governing party scheduled for Friday.

He cautioned that only leaders who would implement these policies should be elected at the December conference.

ANC provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle said: "We are here to unite and go to the national policy conference as a single indivisible delegation of the province of the Eastern Cape, not divided small groups and factions."

Xasa called on members to revolt against the alienation of party veterans who have been sidelined .

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