ANC STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS MADE BY KADER ASMAL AT THE PRESS FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS

The African National Congress (ANC) has read with regret the unfortunate remarks made by Comrade Kader Asmal, at the Press Freedom Day celebration, hosted by the Cape Town Press Club and the South African National Editors Forum in Cape Town (see here and here).

Amongst other remarks that Cde Kader Asmal made, are the circumstance that lead to the withdrawal of the charges against President Jacob Zuma. He further asserted that Cde Jeff Radebe, who is the Minister of Justice and Constitutional development is "Politically illiterate", and that "he hopes that he is not alive when the Deputy Minister of Police, Cde Fikile Mbalula ever becomes the ANC Secretary General".

The ANC finds these revelations shocking and undesirable.

The assertion by Asmal, that there are attempts by the ANC to "militarise the police" cannot be backed by any facts. The ANC has a programme of ensure that our police are better place to fight crime and criminality in our country.  We also remain committed in ensuring that our police themselves do not fall victims to criminals. Fighting crime and fighting the causes of crime is one of the key priority areas of the ANC-led government.

Cde Asmal is free to come with suggestions and alternatives to assist the ANC in fighting crime and to better the lives of our people.  As a member of the ANC and a stalwart of our movement, he could have utilised the available ANC structure to raise his concerns on any matter, instead of raising such matter in the public platforms.

It is not within the traditions and protocols of the ANC for comrades to talk about their views and opinion about the ANC and its leaders in public platforms and through the media without first having raised such issues internally.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, African National Congress National Spokesperson, October 20 2009

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