STATEMENT OF THE ANC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOLLOWING MEETING HELD 19-21 SEPTEMBER 2014

22 SEPTEMBER 2014

The National Executive Committee held its ordinary meeting over three days, 19-21 September, 2014, at the St George's Hotel, Tshwane. This meeting took place a few days after 84 South Africans lost their lives in a tragic disaster at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria. The NEC sends its condolences to their families and friends. We commend the work being done by the South African government to repatriate their remains back home and provide support to the affected families and the injured.

Amongst others, the NEC considered the Political Overview delivered by the President, the report of the Integrity Commission, the State of Local Government and a report from the National Working Committee. It also conducted a detailed analysis of the balance of forces domestically.

Any revolution is about people and people need ongoing attention so that the revolution is not derailed. Political consciousness is a function of the ongoing work being done among the people. This will include organising and mobilising all strata of society. The emergence of a right wing coalition among political parties is one of convenience and is brought together only by their common animosity towards the ANC. Their only intention is to derail the revolution, and therefore qualifies to be called a counter-revolutionary coalition.

To this end the NEC noted the extent to which Parliamentary processes have descended into chaos and the unruly offensive on the ANC in Parliament, Parliament itself and on democracy in our country. Hooliganism and insult are at unprecedented levels and are unfortunately being defined as a tool of engagement. The decorum and dignity of Parliament as an institution is being dragged through the mud under the cover of the right to be robust.

The NEC also acknowledged the drive to amend the Constitution by stealth. South Africa has adopted a party based electoral system with every member of Parliament being a party parliamentary representative. The Constitution of the Republic states that "At the first sitting after its election, or when necessary to fill a vacancy, the National Assembly must elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among its members."

The appointment of the current Speaker is therefore consistent with the Constitution. The touted motion of no confidence therefore was an attempt to irregularly amend the Constitution. When some political analysts do not see this hypocrisy it tells a story of the intellectual poisoning our country is subjected to and is very dangerous for our society.

It is this reality that informed the decision that in order to account to our people, the ANC should continue to rely more on direct contact with them in Izimbizo. The ANC has a revolutionary duty to defend itself, the revolution and democracy. Similarly, Parliament has a duty to protect its dignity and integrity and thus be less tolerant of deviant behaviour. Parliament cannot be a battleground. Its members have been elected by voters and thus carry their hopes and aspirations for progressive and constructive engagement. Debate and responding to questions requires space to do so; disruption of the same process is tantamount to an exercise in futility.

The African National Congress must focus even more on its programme and implement it aggressively. The criticism we are facing is as a result of slow implementation. We have thus agreed to intensify our organisational renewal campaign of Imvuselelo as well as marking of the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter. In the build up to the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter, the ANC will be holding Freedom Charter Forums where society will critically reflect on its progressive values and progress made towards its realisation. Our back to basics programme in Local Government is informed by this understanding to accelerate the pace of change.

The NEC further called for an intensification of investments in labour intensive sectors of the economy to deal with the challenges of unemployment; particularly amongst young people. It further reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive discussion on the impact of long strikes on the economy and the wellbeing of workers and their families. A regulatory framework must be developed without interfering with the right to strike.

The NEC finalised the date for the National General Council and a programme leading to the Local Government Elections in 2016 . The NGC will be held on 26th to the 29th June 2015 in the Gauteng Province. The NEC agreed that the January 8th/103rd Anniversary Celebrations will be held in the Western Cape.

 The Integrity Commission presented its preliminary report on all the cases they have identified. The NEC noted the report, requested the Integrity Commission to continue its work and table the final report to the NWC for further processing.

On the state of the organisation the NEC confirmed the dissolution of the REC of the Chris Hani Region and discussed the state of organisation in all the Leagues. The NEC will work and continue to give support to the ANC Women's League and the ANC Youth League as they prepare for their National Conferences.

 On international relations issues the NEC took the following decisions: -

To support government initiatives and the Special Envoys appointed to facilitate peace processes in Lesotho, South Sudan and Sri Lanka

To support the Cuban solidarity programme, with particular focus on the campaign for the release of the Cuban Five and lifting of the blockade.

Supported the report of the Socialist International, the internationalist body of Social Democratic Parties of the world. Among the tasks facing member parties are; confronting the concentration of wealth in the hands of few in the world, the growing inequality, and the urgent need to find formula of wealth redistribution. Migration is another growing problem with more children and teenager crossing borders unaccompanied and sexual assaults having become weapons of war.

Endorsment of the programme of solidarity with Palestine with particular:

Intensification of engagement in multi-lateral institutions.

Joining the call for a cultural, academic and education boycott of Israel including travel bans for members and leaders of the ANC, the Alliance, Members of Cabinet, Members of Parliament and Government Officials.

Companies that do business in the occupied territory, such as Capegate, G4Security and Caterpillar must not be allowed to business with state. Goods manufactured in the occupied territory should be boycotted.

The development of a comprehensive programme of solidarity during the UN Month of Solidarity with Palestine

Statement issued by Gwede Mantashe, ANC secretary general, September 22 2014

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