ANC purge fears flare up

Nwabisa Makunga, Zandile Mbabela and Rochelle de Kock

AS thousands of ANC members erupted with song and jubilation, celebrating in the streets of Mangaung yesterday, some Eastern Cape party members were sombre as President Jacob Zuma's landslide victory raised uncertainty about their political future.

The ANC may have closed a chapter of bitter rivalry in a highly contested race for its national leadership, but some members in the province are already on high alert, fearing a purge by the new leadership which was bolstered by overwhelming support.

Many of the members put on a brave face, saying Zuma's victory over Kgalema Motlanthe was the wish of the party. They also called for unity and for Zuma to start taking decisive action to solve problems that often hindered development in the province.