THEY are bitter. That is how Stella Ndabeni, deputy minister of Communication, described opponents of ANC president Jacob Zuma and secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.

Ndabeni opened up the succession debate on her Facebook wall on Monday, attacking ANC members who have vowed not to support the re-election of Zuma and Mantashe in December in Mangaung.

She wrote that those who thought Zuma and Mantashe would not be re-elected in December were "bitter".

Ndabeni referred to them as "muncu," which means bitter in isiZulu, though some claim the word could also mean "stupid". But she told Sowetan that what she meant was that they were "bitter".

Suspended ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Julius Malema is among those known to be campaigning for the election of Kgalema Motlanthe and Fikile Mbalula as president and secretary general, respectively.

Following a flood of responses from her friends on Facebook, Ndabeni mysteriously deleted her entry.

Some friends questioned her motive, claiming the ANC took a decision not to discuss the succession battle while others supported her.

Some of her friends, like Sifiso Nhlengethwa, wrote: "Comrades, don't u think its too early for us to debate and predict an outcome of something that is going to take place in 12 months."

Jeffrey Miya wrote: "JZ is a one term person subject to accumulation of wealth and clinging to power to protect interests."

Sifiso Nhlengethwa added that: "JZ and Mantashe are getting re-elected in Mangaung. Finish and Klaar."

Mohlalefi Lebotha wrote: "So Cde DM [deputy minister] is the succession debate now open?"

Yesterday Ndabeni told Sowetan: "I write what I like on my Facebook page. I write as Stella Ndabeni, not as the deputy minister.

"I am a member of the ANC and a politician before I am a deputy minister."

Ndabeni claimed that she was clarifying something when she wrote that message. She denied that she erased the message after she was cautioned that her views on Facebook could create problems for her.

"I was not under pressure and was not cautioned. That is my Facebook page and I can do as I please," she said.

But author Simphiwo Mahala said the word "umuncu" means stupid.

"Literally, it means bitter or sour, but it is also used to say a person is stupid," said Mahala.

Ndabeni was expelled from the ANCYL after she sided with the league's former limpopo chairman Lehlogonolo Masoga, during his disciplinary case.

When Masoga took the ANCYL to court Ndabeni wrote a supporting affidavit that claimed Masoga's expulsion was predetermined. She was expelled as a member of the ANCYL national executive committee in July 2010.