COSATU calls for an investigation of the reports that the Tshwane political violence and vandalism was sponsored

22 June 2016

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is deeply troubled by reports that imply that the violent incidents in Tshwane are sponsored by some leaders of the movement in collusion with tenderpreneurs. The federation calls for a thorough investigation of these allegations and for the immediate arrest of the plotters and perpetrators if they are discovered.

COSATU is reiterating its call for calm and an end to the ongoing political killings and violence. We continue to reject the sense of entitlement that is behind the violence and vandalism that we have seen in many areas and recently in Tshwane.  The federation calls for cooler heads to prevail and urges all members of the ANC to rally behind all those on the lists and campaign for an overwhelming ANC victory.

We call on law enforcement agencies to work hard to stop the anarchy by arresting the perpetrators of violence. The ANC leadership needs to intervene and work with communities to identify the criminals that are vandalising properties and assassinating other people. COSATU is calling on the ANC Gauteng and Tshwane leadership to intervene and act decisively to calm the situation and stop the ongoing political violence.

The ANC needs to act decisively to sort out the current turmoil, disunity, factionalism and ill-discipline that is taking place in Tshwane. The present situation is untenable and unsustainable for the African National Congress and leadership has to be decisive to calm things down and stop the deterioration. We cannot afford to have a situation where corruption and impunity dominate. 

The movement needs to cleanse itself of reactionaries, opportunists’ flatterers, patrons, factionalists and hangers-on, who are infiltrating and tearing the movement apart. This narrow focus on internal factional battles by the movement and the never-ending scandals, political violence and killings risk; not only weakening the movement but killing it and its political capacity to lead society.

We should all be focusing on campaigning for a decisive election victory and not self flagellating on the eve of crucial elections. The leadership cannot afford to be found wanting at this period because the stakes are very high.

Issued by Sizwe Pamla, National Spokesperson, COSATU, 22 June 2016