Alliance Summit calls for Mbeki not to step down

The Alliance Summit of the ANC, Cosatu and the SACP has decided not to call for President Thabo Mbeki to step down as head of government. This was revealed at a media briefing in Johannesburg.

The objective of the alliance which has just ended in Midrand, has been to forge closer ties between the partners ahead of next year's summit.

Reports suggested that SACP members at the summit had called for Mbeki's dismissal because of what they saw as his untrustworthiness. This relates to the SABC crisis, new arms deal revelations, the electricity crisis and the issues which were raised at the Ginwala inquiry. However, ANC secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, has confirmed that the matter was raised from the floor.