ANC's Mbalula likens US calls for SA to abandon transformation policies to 'asking us to close shop'

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has likened calls by the US for South Africa to abandon its transformation policies as closing shop.

Mbalula made wide-reaching comments on geopolitical tensions, diplomatic ties and domestic politics at a party branch general meeting in Liliesleaf in Rivonia on Sunday.

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This included ongoing pressure by Washington for Pretoria to reverse the controversial BEE laws and land expropriation.

Mbalula said it would not sell out on its longstanding transformation agenda to appease US President Donald Trump’s administration.

"They say to us, these Americans of President Trump, that we must do away with BEE. I said: 'You are asking us to close shop'. If you say BEE, BBBEE, affirmative action, you are saying to us we must kill redress. That’s why we are ANC. You are saying then, we must secede power to the DA. We are not them."

Mbalula said the ANC was paying a high price in the Government of National Unity (GNU), making concessions to other political parties on some decisions.

"Even they force us to take decisions that are wrong, that we don’t support. Why? Because as individuals, let the truth be told, our pockets are lined up – we stand to gain if so and so is elected or is appointed in a particular position. The ANC can’t say no. Comrades, the revolution will punish us, not even the masses."