OUTCOMES OF SPECIAL PEC MEETING

The Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC in the Western Cape held a special PEC meeting in Grabouw yesterday (15 January 2016) to discuss, among other items, the allegation made against its Provincial Chairperson, Comrade Marius Fransman.

The PEC is determined that this particular matter will not derail its efforts in ensuring that the ANC acts as an effective opposition in the Western Cape and adequately prepare the organisation for the upcoming local government elections. The ANC in the Western Cape is united in claiming victory in these elections to ensure a better life for all our people.

The meeting also received a report on the opening of schools and the hundreds of children that remain unaccommodated. Specifically, a proposal was made that individual schools be identified and adopted, in order for the ANC to give support to those schools, which need intervention, and will not hesitate to request the ANC national government to intervene.

The PEC also noted the recent fire disasters in Uitsig, Elsies River, Masiphumelele, Imizamo Yethu and the slow reaction of the DA run City of Cape Town to respond to these tragedies. The PEC came out in full support of the ANC Youth League’s programme in the fight against racism in the province.

The ANC believes that the DA run Western Cape is used as a base by these few racists who wish to commend Verwoerd and glorify Botha because this minority find their home in the DA. Noting that the DA run City of Cape Town adopted an ANC programme of fighting racism in the City but which fails to deal with racists within its own party, the PEC continues to believe that the DA makes it easy for racists to thrive, as we saw only recently in the incident in Knysna.

After lengthy and careful consideration, the PEC noted the fact that at this juncture there are no charges brought against Fransman and the matter is still under investigation by SAPS. The ANC in the Western Cape continues to stand by the principle of innocent until proven guilty.   

Whilst taking into account the effect that these allegations had on the alleged victim and her family, including the Fransman family as well as that of the image of the ANC, the PEC calls upon the law enforcement agencies to finalise their investigation into the allegation against Fransman speedily and conclude the investigation.

In the meantime, the PEC resolved to refer the matter to the national ANC’s integrity commission for further guidance and for Fransman to be given an opportunity, in confidence, to give his side of the story to the ANC; without prejudicing other processes.

The ANC, having deliberated collectively, through its PEC which included the leaders of the ANC Women’s and Youth Leagues, wishes to reiterate its strong support and commitment in the fight against abuse of women and children. Whilst any allegation can be made against anyone, the ANC re-emphasizes its call for the necessary processes to take their course and for the matter to be resolved as soon as possible.

The ANC is confident that this matter will not derail its election efforts as it gears itself to fighting the upcoming local government elections. It will intensify its energies, in particular in respect of the Provincial January 8th event which has been postponed due to the persisted resistance from the DA municipality and the deliberately onerous requirements set. These included too little water taps when thousands of people amidst a heat wave could have gathered there.

The PEC came out in support of Fransman to continue to lead the ANC in the Western Cape and its programmes. Fransman, as a seasoned comrade, has all the capabilities and capacity to lead the ANC; especially at this time of going into the local government elections.

ANC members and supporters are called upon to desist from becoming defocussed and ensure that they continue to do door-to-door visits so as to ensure that people who are not registered are identified and that they may come to know the issues faced by their communities; issues that will set the agenda for these municipal elections.

Statement issued by Jabu Mfusi, ANC Western Cape, 16 January 2016