ANC must clamp down hard on disruptions of Cope meetings

“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.” (Winston Churchill’s speech “we shall fight them on the beaches”)

Stirring stuff which some of our lot seem to have taken to heart. Indeed, after ANC and Cope supporters tussled on the beaches of East London in December and with ANC “members” purportedly disrupting a Cope meeting in Mbuzini, Mpumalanga it might even be construed as a recipe for success in the forthcoming elections.

They certainly seem to have mastered the bit about fighting on the beaches, in the fields and in the streets.

With regard to the incident in Mbuzini, Mpumalanga:

ANC spokesman Ishmael Mnisi said he did not have knowledge of the incidents but said the party will investigate and take action should the claims be found to be true. “As the ANC we are against any form of disruption by our members against any political organisation. It is totally uncalled for and we condemn such action. The president [Jacob Zuma] has repeatedly spoken to such people … telling them not to disrupt other parties’ meetings even if they don’t agree with such political parties,” Mnisi said. However, he cautioned against labeling people who disrupt other parties’ meetings and rallies’ ANC members, saying there was a “difference between supporters and members”. “Did they see those people’s cards to verify if they are indeed ANC members? Wearing a T-shirt doesn’t necessarily make one an ANC member,” he said. Mnisi said action will be taken against those found to be ANC members. (Times, South Africa)

Mnisi’s response is simply not good enough and should be seen in light of this article by Professor Pierre De Vos who lectures on constitutional law at the University of the Western Cape. In particular note the following:

“I was happy to note that Mr Jacob Zuma earlier this week recommitted the ANC to upholding the Constitution and the values enshrined in it. But words are empty unless they are followed by deeds. So lets hope in 2009 Mr Zuma and the ANC leadership in general practice what they preach … With Cope emerging as at least a marginal threat to the ANC’s electoral dominance, it will also be important to see how the ANC leadership deals with political intolerance among its ranks. If it issues bland statements of condemnation without taking action against its members who intimidate others and disrupt the political activities of Cope, then we know the ANC is giving tacit support to the thugs in its ranks — much like the National Party gave tacit support to the extra legal actions of the security forces during the apartheid regime.” (Professor Pierre De Vos)

De Vos is, of course, absolutely right and raises an issue which is of concern to all South Africans:

Are the ANC and the government merely paying lip service to democracy and the constitution? It is one thing to say you intend doing the right things but quite another if your actions don’t coincide therewith. Worse, it is actually harmful to the party’s image and credibility. The examples abound from convening enquiries and ignoring their findings to calling for an equitable solution in Zimbabwe while underpinning the very person responsible for blocking the same.

I have no doubt that the ANC’s intentions are honorable and that their approach is sometimes guided by what they believe the people want to hear. Unfortunately that is doing more damage than occasioning support. This has to change in the coming year.

If decisions are made and the party or the government does not intend changing them, for example giving aid to Mugabe, then they should rather just give the aid and their reasons as opposed to trying to push square pegs into round holes in justifying their actions. This lends credence to those who doubt their credibility and suggests weakness in the party’s leadership. Of course the local and international media will batter them but that is far better than being hammered twice over: once for their actions and once for their previous popular stance, which has been abandoned.

In the case of ANC president Jacob Zuma’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and in bringing the party to order, immediate action must be taken and seen to be taken against those who behave like thugs and disrupt the political meetings of other parties. Instead of telling the media that “if” they are members, action will be taken, a clear signal must be sent to the citizens of the country that this kind of conduct will not be tolerated. Zuma, on behalf of the party, and Motlanthe, on behalf of the government, must call upon the police to crack down hard on anyone who dares to disrupt political meetings. They must also endorse any action taken by the criminal justice system in clamping down hard on offenders who are brought before the courts. Examples must be made of any member of the party who dares to incite people to this course of conduct.

South Africa has an election coming up later this year. The ANC will be returned as the government and ruling party of South Africa. Post elections we need a country united like never before which a free and fair election will go some way to achieving.

In these troubled political and economic times it is in everyone’s interest that the country be governed by a firm hand, which is dedicated to our democracy and the Constitution before the elections are held. Not only in words, but supported by actions, which confirm intent.

For everyone’s sake.