STATEMENT OF THE ANC NATIONAL WORKING COMMITTEE

25 February 2008

The ANC National Working Committee (NWC) met in Johannesburg today (25 February 2008) in one of its scheduled fortnightly meetings.

Following weekend reports on the ANC and Chancellor House, the ANC wishes to place on record that the ANC is neither conducting an investigation nor a forensic audit into the company or any of its transactions.

The NWC confirmed that ANC Treasurer General Mathews Phosa has, correctly, initiated an assessment of the value of the assets of the company. This forms part of a process to establish if there are any perceived or real conflicts of interest for the ANC.

The meeting discussed the national electricity conservation programme, and welcomed the marked decrease in instances of load shedding.

The NWC expressed concern that companies should not use the electricity supply challenge as an excuse for problems that actually arise out of their own operational inefficiencies. The ANC encourages companies like BHP Billiton and Goldfields to cooperate with government on measures to conserve energy and safeguard jobs.

The NWC confirmed the organisation's statement on the budget tabled in Parliament last week by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel. The budget reinforces the pro-poor policy positions of the organisation and advances the mandate on which the ANC was elected in 2004.

The ANC is saddened at the death on Friday of businessperson and former Telkom Chairperson, Nomazizi Mtshotshisa. She was a leading figure in South Africa's business community, who played an important role in economic transformation, both within the public and private sectors.

The ANC extends its condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

More information: Jessie Duarte 079 506 6756