THE ANC YOUTH LEAGUE TOTALLY DISAGREES WITH THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR'S JUDGMENT AGAINST MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS ANC ANC LEADER, GENERAL SIPHIWE NYANDA:
The African National Congress Youth League totally disagrees with the Public Protector's judgment against Minister of Communications and leader of the African National Congress, General Siphiwe Nyanda. The Public Protector is reported to have found the Minister guilty for an expressing an honest, truthful view that Siyabonga Gama is not treated fairly and was persecuted in Transnet (see Times report). The ANC Youth League is of the view that both as a member of society and leader of the ANC and Government, General Nyanda reserve the right to make observations and express opinions on what he believes are injustices.
The reality of the situation is that Siyabonga Gama was not treated fairly in Transnet, and there is nothing wrong with making such an observation. The Public Protector seems to be parroting opposition parties' views and misperceptions that the leadership of government and the African National Congress violates public interests. We doubt if really the Public Protector is protecting the public or just parroting misperceptions of opposition parties. If leadership of government and the ANC are going to be banned from publicly condemning injustice against people, then our country will be in bigger trouble because injustices will not be exposed. The Public Protector should also appreciate that freedom of expression extends to leaders of the ANC as well, and not a preserve of reactionary newspapers and opposition parties.
Once again, the ANC Youth League calls on government, particularly the Presidency to institute a thorough Commission of Inquiry into the injustices of Transnet against and persecution of Siyabonga Gama. It is only through that process that all the injustices will be exposed.
Statement issued by Floyd Shivambu, ANC Youth League national spokesperson, July 26 2010
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