Manana outrage
THE Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army in Southern Africa, Colonel Keith Conrad, has responded with outrage to reports of the president of the ANC Women’s League defending the deputy minister of higher education who has been charged with assaulting a woman.
Colonel Conrad was reacting to reports at the weekend of Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini saying that she does not believe action should be taken against Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana for assaulting a woman on the grounds that others in senior government positions were worse than he.
Colonel Conrad said: “It is outrageous that Ms Dlamini should be defending anyone accused of abusing a woman. That she claims to have knowledge of others in government who have done worse gives her no reason whatsoever to defend Mr Manana.”
That this incident and Minister Dlamini’s response to it had happened during Women’s Month was even more shocking.
“Neither Deputy Minister Manana nor Minister Dlamini are fit to hold office and we call on them both to resign immediately,” he said. “In her twin positions as Minister of Social Development and president of the ANCWL, Ms Dlamini has a responsibility to take action whenever she becomes aware of abusive actions towards women and children. That she is clearly aware of some of these, but seemingly has taken little action over them, is shocking. If someone in her position, with all its power and resources, apparently takes little action about the abuse of which she is aware, what hope do ordinary women have of fighting this scourge?” he asked.
Colonel Conrad said it was absurd for the minister to say fighting abuse against women was not about targeting individuals. “Individuals commit abuse. Who else should be held to account for doing so?” he asked.
Colonel Conrad said that throughout his life on Earth, Jesus Christ had demonstrated caring love towards women, no matter what their circumstances or background, and Christians were charged to follow his example.
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God, and its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination.
The Southern Africa Territory of The Salvation Army encompasses four countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland – and the island of St Helena. Its officers, soldiers and full-time employees provide their spiritual and community services through about 230 corps (churches), societies and outposts, as well as through schools, hospitals, institutions for children, street children, the elderly, men and abused women, and daycare, goodwill, rehabilitation and social centres. Major Carin Holmes Public Relations Secretary Ruth Coggin, Quo Vadis Communications The Salvation Army