'ANC has not discussed death penalty'

ANC president Jacob Zuma said they might be a call for referendum on death penalty.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe says a review of the death penalty has not been discussed by the ANC leadership.

Mantashe was responding to questions posed by ANC members during a regional council meeting at George. The issue of the death penalty made headlines this week when ANC president Jacob Zuma told members of the Jewish board of Deputies that they might call a referendum on the matter.

Mantashe is in the Southern Cape to debrief the regional ANC leadership about resolutions from the Polokwane conference. Mantashe says the regime change at the Polokwane conference marked the renewal of the ruling party. He was referring to the election of Jacob Zuma as new ANC president.

No candidates are tipped
Hundreds of ANC branch leaders gathered at Pacaltsdorp near George for a briefing by Mantashe. ANC Southern Cape Regional Secretary, Sipho Kroma, says Mantashe's visit stems from the ANC's January Legotla.

Meanwhile, ANC Youth League President Fikile Mbalula says no candidates are tipped to take over leadership positions in the organisation. He was reacting to reports that he had leadership preferences ahead of their congress. Some reports also suggested that there was political infighting on who should succeed Mbalula. He says there are no anointed leaders for any position in the Youth League. He says there are capable leaders.