THE ANC HAS NOT WITHDRAWN ITS HIJACKER CANDIDATE

The fact that the ANC has decided not to withdraw its candidate, Dumezweni Ndlovu, who is a convicted armed robber and hijacker, from today's by election in eThekwini, demonstrates that the ANC is just as morally bankrupt as their candidate.

The ANC said yesterday that they would investigate Ndlovu's background, and take action if they found that he was guilty of these charges. Well, they have clearly investigated the matter and come to the same conclusion as everyone else, but they have failed to take any action at all. Instead, they have said that it is too late to withdraw him. That is, frankly, a cop-out.

What this shows is that the ANC is simply not interested in ensuring ethical and honest governance. This is an embarrassment to our democracy, and a complete insult to voters.

I believe the ANC secretary general must explain to voters how this situation could be allowed to arise. How is it, Mr. Mantashe, that the ANC believes that a convicted hijacker and armed robber should be elected to public office? How is it that the victims of this man's deeds should be paying his salary? And how, exactly, does the ANC think that a man responsible for such indiscretions could possibly help to solve the serious problems that our politicians are tasked to address? By fielding this candidate, the ANC has told the voters of eThekwini, and South Africans in general, just what it thinks of them.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of police, May 5 2010

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