The Deputy President of the Congress of the People (COPE) Mbhazima Shilowa has urged the South African people to bring back the dream of 1994.

Speaking to scores of COPE supporters in Khayelitsha, Shilowa said the country's vision of a corruption free, prosperous and united South Africa was floundering.  

"We must save our country from the jaws of destruction of the Luthuli House brigade. We must act now whilst we still can.  We must say it's not right to be taken for granted. We must do something about the brazen assault on our Constitution and the shameless corrosion of the credibility and solemnity of this countries institutions of democracy. For countries like Zimbabwe - it's not in the hands of the local people anymore," said Shilowa.

He said the ruling party has demonstrated its contempt for the people of South Africa by attacking every credible institution and persons that found fault with the erratic conduct of its public representatives. "We have allowed the ANC to bend the rules - to shield their corrupt leaders from the rule of law. In rare cases where they land up in jail - the party creates a special dispensation for their early release," he said.

He said power must be returned back to the people as it was envisaged by the architects of the Constitution. "South Africa must come first, not the ANC members. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, not the ANC. We must refuse to be bullied by the ANC."

COPE has called for the direct election of the president, premiers and mayors as this would make them more accountable to the people than to political parties. The ruling party has undermined and interfered with a number of executive decision in pursuance of its narrow political party interests.

Shilowa urged the people not to be swayed by sentimental attachment and vote for leaders that are honest servants of the people. "We were part of the liberation struggle and played prominent roles in the emancipation of our people. The ANC leadership has turned their backs on the noble principles that guided the march to freedom. It is therefore time to take the struggle to another level - let's advance the interest of South Africa," said Shilowa.

He went on to say although our country was relatively well developed  -a large number of South African's were still dying of poverty related diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, HIV/AIDS, TB 15 years into liberation.  There was no adequate healthcare- no medication, linen, beds and doctors in many hospitals.

In many instances the infrastructure was dilapidated and services generally collapsing. In the meantime provincial government were returning money back to the national treasury.  

"In many parts of this country the infrastructure we inherited is falling into pieces because they corruptly award tenders to undeserving friends, comrades and family members. Employment is dispensed on the basis of cronyism and nepotism. That was not the dream of 1994. That vision is dithering. We deserve better - our mission must be to save that dream."

Issued by Sipho Ngwema on behalf of Congress of the People Deputy President, Mbhazima Shilowa, April 18 2009

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