The SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) is saddened by former defense minister Mosiuoa Lekota's stance "to lead a splinter grouping from the ANC", the union said on Wednesday.

"We believe that it would have been possible to resolve differences within the structures of the ANC if there was a genuine will to debate the issues in good faith," Sadtu said in a statement.

"We suspect, however, that the decision to exit the ANC was taken long ago, and that the recent pronouncements of Comrade Lekota amount to a publicity stunt to drum up interest in the splinter grouping.

"Sadtu leadership is confident that our 235 000 members will not be misled by the lies of the disgruntled elements represented by Lekota."

"These elements have cut themselves off from the democratic traditions of the ANC," the union said.

In refusing to accept the outcome of ANC elections at Polokwane, they had cast themselves into the political wilderness.

"We will not allow this splinter faction to undermine the fundamental unity of the working class and the labour and national liberation movements which we have fought so long to defend."

Sadtu affirmed its continued support for the ANC and the Tripartite Alliance, which "is the only available vehicle to consolidate our national democratic revolution and for a better life for all based on the programme of the Freedom Charter".

Sapa