Vuwani: ANC must suspend arrested councillor  

16 May 2016

The Democratic Alliance welcomes the arrest of an ANC councillor in the Vuwani area over the weekend. The councillor and four others were arrested and charged with public violence and destruction of property following the burning of dozens of schools during the recent violent service delivery protests.

We call on the Makhado municipal council to suspend the ANC councillor with immediate effect and for his ultimate dismissal should he be found guilty.

The police must extensively investigate the involvement of politicians and municipal officials in these crimes that affected the whole community. 

 Apart from 24 schools vandalised and torched by protesters, a further 50 schools in Vuwani and the surrounding areas remain closed for safety reasons. This negatively affects the prospects of 40 000 learners during the up-coming mid-year exams and beyond.

The code of conduct for councillors states that councillors must perform the functions of office in good faith, honestly and a transparent manner; and must at all times act in the best interest of the municipality and in such a way that the credibility and integrity of the municipality are not compromised. 

This again demonstrates how the ANC of today has changed. It is no longer the ANC of Nelson Mandela, an ANC that cared for the people and the education of our children. Instead of ending the violent protest, the ANC councillor added fuel to the fire.

The ANC must publicly condemn the actions of their councillor and take disciplinary steps against him in their appropriate structures and suspend him from attending any public gatherings for fear of further incitement.

Issued by Jacques Smalle, DA Provincial Spokesperson on Education, 16 May 2016