African National Congress president Jacob Zuma warned supporters on Thursday evening to be careful and clear in assessing what he termed the "breakaways" from the ruling party.

"Emotions are infectious; do not allow yourselves to become contaminated," he told a meeting of Cosatu shop stewards in Cape Town.

In a clear reference to the so-called Shikota dissidents, he advised the members of the Congress of SA Trade Unions "not to fall into the trap of people who are having a lot of things to say, but are saying nothing".

Many people thought the ANC was in crisis, but "we have no crisis", he said.

In a wide-ranging address, Zuma -- who is on a four-day campaign trail in the Western Cape coinciding with the Independent Electoral Commission's voter registration drive this weekend -- repeated his intention to "get tough" on crime.

It was not just individuals who had been victimised by crime; it had also caused doubt among foreign investors.

"It is not doing any good for the country. We have to be tough on crime," he said.

He also repeated his call for a review of the country's laws, to find the "real remedy" to halt criminals, who were "molesting" society.

A review of the salaries of police officers, health workers and teachers was needed. These were people who performed "the essential work of the nation... but they are the least paid".

On education, he said the state should take action against any child not at school and "take them away and educate them by force" if necessary.

Education had to be compulsory, and eventually it had to be free, he said to loud applause and cheers.

On health care, he said this needed to be de-politicised.

"We should reduce the politics in health, and deal with health not politics."

Zuma is set to spend the next three days in the province.

His schedule includes visits to Mitchell's Plain, Paarl and Worcester, among other areas. It rounds up with a rally in Langa on Sunday afternoon.

On Thursday evening, he called for supporters to turn out in large numbers to register with the IEC to vote in the coming national and provincial elections.

In 2004, 742,741 people in the Western Cape voted the ANC into power in the province, securing for it just over 46 percent of the total vote.

Many analysts believe the party will not fare as well in the region in 2009.