ANC STATEMENT ON LOCKDOWN TRANSGRESSIONS, MISINFORMATION AND ALLEGATIONS OF FOOD SECURITY CORRUPT PRACTICES MISINFORMATION

6 May 2020

The African National Congress has noted with concern growing patterns of misinformation within some sections of the media trying hard to divert society's attention on the real intentions of a countrywide government enforced lockdown. The latest edition of a national, Afrikaans tittle, Rapport; carried a screaming headline insinuating that social and business relief measures undertaken by government during this difficult time in our country are not meant for the rest of South Africa's people. This headline and its subsequent text came across as unfortunate and devoid of the truth and casting serious aspersions and contributing towards dividing our society.

We urge the newspaper and its editorial collective to be loyal to the truth for the sake of their own integrity and their many readers who rely on them for updates. Through its own humane actions, our government has continued to display commitment towards forging a social compact that unites all of South Africa's people across racial lines.

Fighting and defeating our common enemy, the invisible Coronavirus, requires that all sections of society, media included, work together in unison including acting fairly and responsibly to expose wrong doing without fear or favor.

FOOD SECURITY

The ANC has noted allegations of isolated incidents involving its members in corrupt practices around the distribution of food parcels. We also note the good work done by our councillors and public representatives including our structures to serve communities often under strain and at the risk of their own lives.

The ANC will, however, not hesitate to act against those within its ranks found to be in the wrong, undermining the trust that our people have placed in us. Members of the community must also use available legitimate channels to expose wrong doing wherever it manifests itself without any political bias.

LOCKDOWN TRANSGRESSIONS

Structures of the ANC throughout the length and breadth of our country are acting with the necessary speed to attend to all forms of allegations around lockdown transgressions brought against members. They are also imposing the necessary actions where required.

The good fight to defeat the Coronavirus must continue in earnest. Let's do it together

Statement issued by Pule Mabe, ANC national spokesperson, 6 May 2020