NEWS STATEMENT BY ANC WESTERN CAPE
The PEC met at its regular meeting 28th February 2015 to reflect on the implementation of ANC Western Cape program.
The PEC raised serious concerns about the undemocratic conduct of the DA both in the City of Cape Town wherein ANC and other opposition councillors were locked out of the Council meeting and City police were used to keep out opposition councillors.
The PEC further bemoans the draconian rulings and victimisation of its cadres in the legislature by Speaker as instructed by Premier Zille. The PEC believes this is the abuse of democratic institutions for party political agendas. The Speaker in the legislature has proven not to be fit and proper to run the affairs of the legislature as she bends over backward to accommodate her master.
The PEC has agreed that in the month of celebrating and advancing Human Rights the ANC must take discussions on transformation to different sectors of society with immediate focus on institutions of higher learning i.e. UCT, CPUT, US. These dialogues will not be limited to the recent racial incidents or backward policy shifts but to give further impetus to the critical program of transforming South Africa into a non-racial society by dealing with remnants and legacy of apartheid.
The ANC had committed itself to the President's call on the Back to Basics program in fixing municipalities. In line with this the PEC takes a dim view of the developments in Oudtshoorn that in spite of numerous interventions the municipality continues to be political dysfunctional, with maladministration and lack of service delivery. That whilst they get ongoing political guidance they take one step forward and three steps backward.
The PEC therefore has called on the Minister of COGTA to drastically intervene using legislative instruments to remedy the situation immediately. As we believe that MEC Bredell does not have the political will or necessary objectivity to resolve this impasse. Instead he continuously reassures and misleads this municipality on the corrective measures that have proven disastrous. The ANC is confident Cooperative Governance Minister Pravin Gordan will act in the interests of the people of Oudtshoorn as a whole.
The PEC also expressed its concern on the lack of delivery in spite of numerous commitments from DA education MEC Debbie Schafer that she will intervene to get kids into schools. The ANC is going to continue to put pressure and expose this destruction of our future. Also of serious concern is the number of over-crowded classrooms in certain areas.
The PEC is further calling on all parents to participate in the education of their children through School Governing Bodies; they must take advantage of that. The elections of SGB's are starting from 8 March 2015. They must check with the relevant school on the dates for parents meetings in order to strengthen grassroots democracy and ensuring doors of learning are open to all.
The PEC has resolved to convene the Provincial Conference on the 16-19 April 2015 in Cape Town. This will be preceded by the delayed regional conferences that are starting middle of March. This will ensure all ANC structures have renewed their mandate and develop a clear program for 2016.
Statement issued by Songezo Mjongile, ANC Western Cape Provincial Secretary, March 2 2015
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