Mngxitama’s utterances condemned
GAUTENG Premier David Makhura has warned that the ANC might fail to retain the province ahead of next year’s crucial elections if it does not forge unity.
Makhura – also provincial ANC chairperson – was speaking yesterday alongside other officials as they communicated the outcomes of the party’s provincial list conference, which was held on Wednesday night.
Makhura has topped the list of those nominated by ANC branches for the provincial legislature, with his deputy, Panyaza Lesufi, coming second.
Makhura said the endorsement of the nomination lists without voting by delegates was indicative of both the political maturity in the province and the cleanliness of the process.
“The list was overwhelmingly agreed by consensus and this was tested by the national list committee… (everyone was) satisfied that the list represents the best in the ANC in the province and the best among us, who must go and serve our people in the national Parliament as well as in the Gauteng legislature,” Makhura said.
ANC Youth League provincial chairman Matome Chiloane has emerged as THE biggest winner among the ANC’s young leaders after he secured 128 nominations from branches, placing him at number 8 on the provincial legislature nominations list.
Current ANC provincial chief whip Sochayile Khanyile – who took over after the resignation of Brian Hlongwa – is set for a parliamentary seat as he secured the third spot on the list, but did not feature on the provincial list.
However, Makhura warned that the party needed to forget about the list process and focus on the upcoming general elections, where he admitted that the ANC faced a tough contest and the possibility of being dislodged.
“The battle lines are drawn. The battle lines are not the list conference. We have to face up to the enemy. We cannot face up to the enemy when we are divided. We need maximum unity,” Makhura said.
Meanwhile, Lesufi said it would be difficult to boot Hlongwa out of the provincial legislature over his implication in alleged corrupt and fraudulent dealings worth R1.2 billion dating back to when he was health MEC.
The party has already removed Hlongwa as its caucus leader and as a member of its provincial executive committee following a recommendation by the provincial integrity commission.
Lesufi said it would be difficult to also strip Hlongwa of his role as an ordinary MPL as he had not been charged or found guilty. ANC stalwarts and veterans have condemned the outbursts of Andile Mngxitama, for calling on his supporters to kill five allegedly white people for every black person killed by those acting on the instructions of billionaire Johann Rupert.
The Black First Land First leader sparked a litany of complaints from various organisations, after he made a racial statement at a small rally in Potchefstroom, in the North West.
Yesterday, ANC stalwarts said Mngxitama knew that actual violent acts and threats of violence would attract media coverage way beyond “the small group of BLF supporters”.
“Any person committed to the future of our country must condemn violence by any political party, irrespective of their own political affiliation.”
The stalwarts also said Mngxitama’s latest outburst was something that needed to be condemned by all political parties and appropriate legal action taken, irrespective of Mngxitama’s wish to become a “martyr”.
“The time is well past for the BLF leader to have his day in court, and it is hoped that the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority will act swiftly on this matter.”
The comments come a day after the South African Human Rights Commission confirmed receiving numerous complaints regarding Mngxitama’s statement on the killing of whites.
The commission said it would institute litigation at the Equality Court.
It said it was deeply concerned by the ongoing public statements, by political leaders and members of the public, which have the potential of causing harm to people’s right to security.
The commission said while it would continue to promote and vigorously protect freedom of speech, it should be noted that the right is not without limitations.
“The Commission is of the view that the utterances by Mr Mngxitama go beyond the legally permissible limits of free speech, hence the decision to institute action in the Equality Court against him.”
The Kathrada Foundation also joined in the condemnation, with its executive director Neeshan Balton saying Mngxitama’s assertions were “inciteful and, in our view, amount to hate speech”.
“His speech was peppered with ‘war talk’, with reference to ‘soldiers’, ‘swords’ and ‘enemies’.
“It served to simply stoke up the anger of people and can potentially unleash violence against white South Africans,” Balton said.
Mngxitama and his BLF have remained defiant. The group was particularly offended when the ANC, on Wednesday, joined in the chorus of criticism.
In a statement yesterday, the BLF called for unity among black formations after the NFP and some leaders of the EFF appeared to close ranks around Mngxitama, and lashed out at the ANC.