Officials must go – youth league

WHILE the ANC has remained silent following one of the most violent weekends in the city, the organisation’s youth league has backed calls that two of the Sol Plaatje Municipality’s most senior management members resign immediately and that those arrested during last week’s protest action be released.

The regional secretary of the ANC Youth League, Cingani Notuku, said in a statement yesterday that the league had noted “with utter disgust” the looting and malicious damage of municipal property that took place on Thursday and which continued until the early hours of Saturday morning.

“We condemn this action in the strongest possible terms and call on the might of the law to apprehend all perpetrators.”

Notuku, however, added that a 15-year-old minor was believed to still be in custody since Thursday at the Witdam police station. “We call upon the commissioner (of police) to speedily trace the family and hand over the minor to the parents or guardians as this practice is against the law.”

He said further that the league also condemned the arson attack on its branch chairperson, Monwabisi Mabija.

“We can’t accept that our comrades live in fear while addressing community-related issues and that they are targets of thugs disguised as ANC members.”

Notuku indicated the league’s support of calls by the community regarding high electricity tariffs, which, he stated, were planned to be enforced without proper consultation.

Arrogance

“This clearly shows the arrogance of those who have been given the responsibility to lead but who rather continue to abuse their positions of power and disadvantage the poorest of the poor.”

While the ANC advised the chief financial officer and the municipal manager of the Sol Plaatje Municipality to take extended leave, the youth league backed the demands of the community that the two resign immediately.

“Their actions have misled the ANC and have corrupt elements which we continue to condemn. Wherever corruption exists, it should be our responsibility to fight it irrespective of who has committed such an offence, as this threatens the hegemony and constituency of the ANC. We are very resolute that we will stand with the community in this regard.”

Notuku said that league officials had requested an emergency meeting with ANC officials in the region to seek an amicable solution.

“We expect this will take place at the earliest convenience. We have further noted the silence and failure to provide leadership to the ANC’s own constituency and voters which is of great concern.”

He further called for the immediate withdrawal of the interdicts against Pantsi Obusitse and Tumelo Mosikare “which were initiated by the municipal manager and chief financial officer of the Sol Plaatje Municipality”.

“This is an indication of the level of arrogance shown by these two officials. This action does not assist the situation but further triggers and agitates confrontation with the community.

“The release of more than 100 protesters who were detained is also eminent and should be attended to with immediate effect,” Notuku concluded.