Motlanthe denies shadow president rumours

Deputy President says he will not become shadow president

ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has dismissed media reports that he is likely to be declared shadow president of the country. He was speaking in an interview with the SABC in Vaal Triangle where thousands of Cosatu members were celebrating May Day.

Motlanthe holds the second highest position within the ANC and there has been some speculation that he will be sworn in as a MP next week. However, the man himself has poured cold water on the speculation, shrugging off any suggestions that he will be appointed shadow president.

“There is no such thing. The priority for me and the ANC is to prepare the party for the forthcoming election and there are people already on the list who can be deployed in Parliament if there are vacancies,” says Motlanthe.

The Presidency would not comment on the matter.

Better wages for workers
ANC Treasurer-General Matthews Phosa has called for a review of the broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy. He was speaking at Workers Day celebrations at the Company Gardens in Cape Town.

Phosa says BEE must not only benefit a few who are connected to people in power. He says BEE must benefit the majority of South Africans.

Meanwhile, Cosatu Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi has warned employers of very tough wage negotiations lying ahead in light of sky-rocketing consumer prices. He was addressing a Workers' Day rally in Port Elizabeth. Vavi says workers expect to be compensated for the full effect of inflation in newly-negotiated wages. He says inflation is eroding all the gains made by unions in previous wage negotiations.

Energy crisis
SACP Deputy Secretary-General Jeremy Cronin says government and Eskom should consider a comprehensive plan to deal with the energy shortage.

Cronin was speaking at celebrations at the Company Gardens in Cape Town. He has lambasted Eskom's proposed tariff hike of 53%.

Cronin says government's proposed Alumium Smelter in Coega near Port Elizabeth must be reconsidered as such industries are charged at less electricity rates than ordinary households.