South Africa's ANC party has denied it is committed to nationalising the nation's mines, claiming that it is taking an "open-ended" approach to the issue.

Spokesperswon Keith Khoza indicated that claims the ANC had agreed to nationalisation were "misleading".

He explained: "It is not a foregone conclusion that there will be nationalisation but we are not opposed to nationalisation.

"We are saying it must be looked at as an option and if it is looked at as an option, we must see what is the best practice."

His comments were in response to those made by ministers and business leaders critical of mine nationalisation last week.

One of the most vocal advocates of mine nationalisation has been ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, who believes the government should introduce new powers allowing mines, farms and other businesses to be seized without compensation to owners.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe underlined the party's position in a speech to the ANC youth league congress in June.

"We don't develop a policy on our feet, and we don't just wake up and adopt policies because a group is vocal on the nationalisation of mines. It does not work that way," he explained.

Source:

ANC approach to nationalisation is 'open ended'
 (08/08/11) 

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