Nothing special about EFF’s Mbeki visit, says ANC

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said there was nothing special about the EFF visiting former president Thabo Mbeki

Johannesburg - ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe has poured cold water on Monday’s visit to former ANC and country president, Thabo Mbeki, by leaders of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Mantashe said there was nothing special about the EFF visiting Mbeki

“The ANC’s approach of leadership is to meet everybody. There’s nothing special about Mbeki meeting EFF,” Mantashe said on Monday while briefing the media on his party’s state of readiness for the elections.

His comments come after the EFF leadership on Monday paid Mbeki a courtesy visit at his Johannesburg home to canvass his vote for Wednesday’s local government elections.

EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi told African News Agency (ANA) that the party had visited the former statesman to achieve two objectives.

“The leadership of the EFF visit president Mbeki on two things, firstly to canvass his vote, and secondly, to formally introduce the leadership of the EFF to him because the EFF is a significant player in the political space in South Africa,” Ndlozi said.

“President Mbeki received us extremely well. He even walked us out and gave us hugs when we left.”

Despite ANC leaders and veterans calling on Mbeki to canvass for the ANC, he has been notably absent from rallies on the campaign trail.

The ANC Gauteng leadership last week said it had accepted Mbeki would not campaign for the party, and that it would not beg him to garner votes for the ruling party.

Mbeki was recalled as president of the country by the ANC in 2008.

African News Agency