AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STATEMENT
8 November 2016
1. The ANC Provincial Executive Committee held its ordinary meeting from the 6th – 7thNovember 2016 in Umnambithi, Ukhahlamba Region, to reflect and assess progress in advancing our agenda towards a National Democratic Society. Every PEC meeting provides a platform for the leadership of the ANC to take a stock of its work and that of cadres deployed to various organs of the state. This meeting was preceded by a massive door to door campaign of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee, MPLs and MPs engaging with various sectors of our people in ward 20, where there is a by-election tomorrow.
State capture report
2. The PEC made a considered reflection on the report of the former Public Protector and its wider implications to the movement in general and its leadership in particular. The PEC reaffirmed its support for all Chapter 9 Institutions and their essential role in strengthening our hard won democracy ushered in by the political victory of the National Democratic Revolution in 1994. These institutions are important and further derive their credibility from the quality of their work and conduct of those entrusted with the solemn task of leading them.
3. The faith of our people on all state organs can either be consolidated and strengthened or diminished as a result of their day to day experiences with these organs. It is our considered view that the ANC as a leading party has an obligation to support these state organs and also be critical about their role is consolidating our path towards a National Democratic Society.
4. Accordingly, the PEC was unanimous on its position that the former Public Protector’s report on State of Capture is both incomplete and exceedingly generalizing on a variety of issues, including a serious allegation against the ANC President, comrade Jacob Zuma. We found it very strange that the former Public Protector found it necessary, for whatever reasons, to rush for the release of a report that littered with many incomplete and therefore unscientific observations.
5. We are particularly concerned that the former Public Protector believes it was not important for her to leave all incomplete and outstanding tasks to her successor, but instead chose to release a report that makes political statements, as opposed to legal findings. This, in our view, constitutes a deviation from the primary task of the office of the Public Protector as defined by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. This strange, but not surprising behavior, reinforces our belief that this is a political agenda to tarnish, discredit, diminish and de-legitimatize our movement and its leadership.
6. We call on the ANC President in his capacity as the Head of State to subject the incomplete report of the former Public Protector into a Judiciary Review. The PEC also welcomes the withdrawal of charges against the Minister of Finance, comrade Pravin Godhan.
Governance matters
7. The PEC received a detailed presentation from the MEC Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs comrade Sihle Zikalala. The presentation focused on the state of the department and its entities which are important for economic development in our province. The PEC noted that the department has about 14 entities with distinct Boards and CEOs and directed the department to consider rationalizing them for efficiency and reduction of administrative expenditure.
8. The PEC also mandated the Premier and his Executive Council to ensure a realignment and rationalization of public entities to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. This will enhance their capacity to provide services effectively and further reduce costs of running various government entities.
Payment of Izinduna
9. The PEC directed the Premier and his Executive Council to speed up the process of ensuring that the traditional leadership, particularly Izinduna receive their remuneration as determine by law. Izinduna are an important layer of traditional leadership of our province and their work is significantly valued by the African National Congress and its government.
Organizational matters
10. The PEC is satisfied that the amount of work and the reception of the movement in all three wards where there are by-elections tomorrow, set us on a path for a decisive victory. We are extremely excited that the campaign has gone very well and therefore tomorrow’s by-elections will indeed be free and fair. The African National Congress calls on all its members and supporters to ensure that they go and vote for their organization. We are confident that the work done by our volunteers and branches in ward 06 Newcastle Municipality, ward 01 Umzwabantu and ward 20 Alfred Duma Municipality constitutes a firm foundation for a decisive victory of the African National Congress.
Emalahleni Region
11.The PEC reaffirmed its decision to dissolve the ANC Emalahleni Regional Executive Committee and appointed an Interim Structure to rebuild the organization. The REC was dissolved in terms of ANC Constitution rule 19.9.10 which gives power to the Provincial Executive Committee to supervise and direct the work of Branch and Regional Executive Committees.
12. Over the past few months since the beginning of the processes leading to the Local Government Elections, the PEC has been deeply concerned about the ability of the former REC to discharge its responsibilities as defined by the ANC Constitution. During the elections campaign the PEC had to appoint a team of comrades to assist the region to coordinate campaigns and ensure that the ANC provides leadership to society in Emalahleni.
13. It became self-evident long before the elections that the Regional Executive Committee has completely lost the ability to provide leadership to lower structures, deployed cadres and most importantly to society in general. Accordingly, the PEC appointed the following comrades to serve in an Interim Structure:
- Sipho Gcabashe (Convenor)
- Bheki Sibiya (Coordinator)
- Solomon Mkhombo
- Nonhlanhla Khoza
- Edward Dladla
- Mandle Shange
- Mosely Mlotshwa
- Zimba Ngcobo
- Phineas Mtshali
14. The PEC also decided that at least three ANC Organizers must be deployed to work in Emalahleni Region fulltime to ensure rebuilding of the ANC and prepare for a regional conference. All PEC members are also expected to spend at least two days per month in assisting the PEC Interim Structure.
The road towards the ANC 54th national conference
15. The PEC calls on the ANC members and leaders to unite and guard against forces at work to undermine the progress made by the advancement of the National Democratic Revolution. Certainly, many challenges and contradictions will arise from time to time in a process of building a National Democratic Society.
16. We strongly believe that whatever the problems and setbacks the ANC has encountered and will encounter in the future, nothing must be allowed to weaken our commitment for the cause of the people, most of whom are poor and depend on the program of change led by the African National Congress.
17. Accordingly, we must resist any temptation by our opponents to set the agenda for the African National Congress. The PEC holds a strong view that the Veterans of our movement remain a unique fountain of knowledge built over decades of struggle for freedom. We sincerely appeal to all esteem veterans of our movement to engage with their organization in a robust, critical but dignified manner and avoid public statements that undermine the stature and the prestige of the movement.
18. However, we are remain firmly opposed to any conduct, including from our esteem veterans, that seeks to weaken the African National Congress and its democratically elected leadership. The PEC will embark on a campaign to consolidate the movement’s relationship with the masses of our people and ensure a dynamic connection in defense of the National Democratic Revolution.
19. We call on our people to oppose the Regime Change Agenda and Defend the African National Congress. We are prepared and will double our efforts in fighting against Regime Change in our country.
Statement issued by the ANC KZN, 8 November 2016
