Letters

The media and political analysts have vigorously promoted the idea that the outcome of the Schabir Shaik trial has divided the ANC into pro- or anti-Zuma circles.

The flipside of that false premise is that there exist pro- or anti-Mbeki camps. In this context, they have tried to place ANC MPs in one box or another.

This became more evident after the ANC presented a statement to parliament calling for national restraint while rebuking the opposition for turning parliament into a kangaroo court.

Any suggestion that members of the ANC in parliament constitute a separate structure within the ANC is refutable. ANC MPs are first and foremost members of their local, regional and provincial structures

Similarly, any insinuation that the ANC MPs attempted to influence the decision of President Thabo Mbeki on Jacob Zuma is incorrect ("MPs' quick about-turn boggles mind," June 17).

Jovial Rantao's take on last week's welcome of Jacob Zuma in the chamber by ANC MPs is a malicious attempt to seek sensation where there is none.

It is indeed regrettable that a journalist of Rantao's calibre can arrive to a conclusion, based solely on sheer assumption rather than facts.

The reaction by ANC MPs when comrade Jacob Zuma entered the chamber is a traditional way of welcoming top leadership of the movement. President Thabo Mbeki is welcomed in the same manner. For Rantao to interpret the welcome as MPs' defiance of the president is mind-boggling.

The ANC parliamentary caucus has never released any statement or said anything in the media to suggest such an insinuation. Rantao's baseless analysis is therefore a serious indictment on his journalistic integrity and credibility.

ANC MPs have welcomed and supported the decision of the president and believe it was done in the interest of both Comrade Zuma and the country.

As the president said, Comrade Zuma will forever be held in high esteem by all comrades and people who worked with him in the struggle and as deputy president and leader of government business in parliament.

It is during difficult national moments such as these that the media must uphold the responsibility of educating the public and reinforce the values that underpin our democracy rather than abuse platforms to pursue nefarious agendas and feed mistruths.

With acknowledgements to Moloto Mothapo and The Star.