Eric Naki

Eric Naki

Former ANC chairman Mosiuoa Lekota has accused the party of misleading the public by revealing a selective portion of the letter written by former president Thabo Mbeki to its president.

"They say the former president distanced himself from us. I'm bold to say that is misrepresentation, distortion and in fact a fallacy," said Lekota on Talk Radio 702.

He read page six of Mbeki's letter to the ANC: "Comrade Lekota and others have not engaged me in any of the actions they have taken to secure my approval or otherwise.

"The ANC leadership has not engaged me in any of the responses it has taken in this regard to secure my approval or otherwise."

Lekota said there was nowhere in the letter where Mbeki distanced himself from the movement. According to Lekota, on page nine of the letter, Mbeki appealed to both parties not to use his name in advancing their fortunes.

"As a small plea in this regard, I appeal that nobody should abuse or cite my name falsely to promote their parties and cause, including how the 2009 election campaign will be conducted."

ANC spokesman Ishmael Mnisi said the party was not prepared to discuss the letter.

"The letter is for the ANC and not for the media. It's like a letter between a doctor and a patient, it's confidential," said Mnisi.

Meanwhile the ANC and its allies have rejected an invitation to Lekota's national convention which starts at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg tomorrow. The ANCYL said its members who attended the convention would be subjected to a disciplinary process.