ANC CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AND LOSS OF LIVES ASSOCIATED WITH BRANCH GENERAL MEETINGS
The African National Congress (ANC) condemns in the strongest possible terms isolated reports of violence and loss of lives associated with some ANC Branch General Meetings (BGMS) hosted over the weekend in parts of the country. The latest report is that two people lost their lives and fourteen seriously injured following a shootout during an ANC BGM to nominate a ward councilor candidate in Lephalale, Limpopo.
The disruption of organisational processes and meetings of the ANC is a new cancer that must be exorcised from the ranks of our movement. This negative tendency of hooliganism and thuggery has got no place in our organisation.
The ANC will not leave any stone unturned to investigate and umask the identities of those involved in these acts. Should it be found that they are members in good standing, they will be summarily suspended and also reported to law enforcement agencies. The Constitution of the ANC protects and defends the rights of members to participate freely in all its democratic processes, including affirming their own views on leadership without fear or favour.
The ANC is sending a strong warning to all those hell bent at undermining organisational unity to desist from such acts or risk facing expulsion. The constitution of the ANC empowers organisational structures to act decisively against those who bring the organisation into disrepute.
The unity and renewal of our movement have become even more urgent so that we can reverse the erosion of the time-tested values of the Congress Movement which include revolutionary morality and serving the people with selflessness, without any expectation of material rewards.
The ANC wishes to state categorically that over 2500 Branch Executive Committees (BEC) have been elected since March 2021 in 4500 BBGMS held across the country with a majority proceeding peacefully.
The criminals who seek to undermine or hijack our democratic processes do not belong in the ANC.
The ANC conveys its condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones. We wish speedy recovery to the injured.
Statement issued by the ANC, 21 June 2021
