By Carol Paton 

Newly elected ANC President Jacob Zuma says he thinks that Trevor Manuel has done a good job but could not comment on his future because as ANC President he is not in the business of appointing or removing ministers.

“I think he has a track record that is very good in addressing issues of fiscal discipline. He has helped us a great deal…(but) why should I be thinking of removing a minister. That is the job of the president of the country,” he said.

But Zuma refused to comment on the fact that when his supporters went to the polls yesterday to elect the new national executive they carried with them an agreed-upon list which excluded Manuel and all the other economic ministers serving in the Cabinet.

 “That question is problematic. This conference was about electing the NEC – I don’t think I need to answer that,” he said. The results of the NEC election will be known later tonight.Zuma also stressed that he could not as ANC President dictate economic or any other policy as this is set by the ANC. However, he hopes to introduce more consultation over policy issues with the ANC’s allies, the SACP and Cosatu.  “Interaction with theAlliance has always been there. But we will go into more details on the issues they are raising. There are issues they say they want to address so we are going to do that.”

Issues raised by the allies for reconsideration include the fiscal surplus and inflation targeting.