ANC statement on Matthew Wolmarans

20 July 2012

The African National Congress through the earlier pronouncement by its Secretary General Comrade Gwede Mantashe welcomed the decision of Judge Ronnie Hendricks of the Rustenburg High Court in the North West Province this week to prosecute the former Rustenburg Mayor Matthews Wolmarans who was handed a 20-year jail sentence for the murder of the late local Councillor Moss Phakoe. We also welcome the prosecution of Wolmarans' former bodyguard, Enoch Matsaba, who was sentenced to life in prison.

The successful prosecution of both these individuals is a demonstration once more that this country cannot afford crime in whatever form and irrespective of who commits it.  The ANC values lives of all South Africans and is disappointed that a senior member of the organisation who has served in important positions as a PEC member and a Mayor in the North West has been found guilty of the  murder of a whistle blower and a fellow ANC Councillor.

It is not only disgusting, it also erodes the values on which the ANC is founded. Values of interpreting selflessness and respect for one another and respect for life.  Corruption has no place in the ANC or its government at all levels. We are therefore disgusted that in the court proceedings it emerged that Comrade Phakoe was murdered  with intentions to cover corruption.

The ANC has never lived with nor tolerated political assassins and we therefore condemn in strongest terms the act of political murder instigated by the former Mayor. Whilst we welcome the court finding in this instance the African National Congress on it own and empowered by its Constitution, will refer this matter that has been finalized by the court to the National Disciplinary Committee so that the ANC as an organisation can equally express its disgust through its Constitutional procedures. We are confident that our disciplinary structures will deal with matter expeditiously and arrive at a sanction that will be commensurate to the serious offence committed by these Comrades.

The court sanction and the impending ANC sanction on this political assassination will send a clear message to all the members of the ANC that the organisation will not habour murderers and corruption defending accomplices within its ranks. This statement serves as a warning to all members of the ANC at all levels within its structures and leagues, that any act of this nature or any contemplation to commit such heinous crime will be met with the maximum sanction and action from both the ANC and our courts of law.  The Provincial leadership of the ANC in the North West is in the process of suspending the membership of Wolmarans pending the outcome of a DC process.

We want to reiterate the words of the Secretary General of the ANC Comrade Gwede Mantashe when commenting on this matter, that the ANC cannot defend or condone such conduct.  We congratulate the police for a job well done!

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC National spokesperson, July 20 2012

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