Investigate DA role in adding to tensions

The ANC today requests the investigating agencies of the state to examine the intentions of the DA and its leader Helen Zille for incitement in an overheated and the most devastating labour unrest the Western Cape had ever seen.

"There are clear indications that the DA played a role in fanning and fuelling the flames during this very unfortunate time. It spread lies, got people who are already overly excited and trigger happy to resort to all sorts of tactics; and indeed a casual farm labourer was murdered by two people in a bakkie as he was hit in the back and died after a drive-by shooting near Prince Alfred Hamlet," says ANC Western Cape secretary Songezo Mjongile.

This happened during a period of private security and militia build-up in farm areas as well as right wing involvement, like "Boere Krisis Aksie".

During these shocking events, the premier of the Western Cape on Twitter spread a false rumour that a farmer died after being assaulted in Wellington with reference to a "grave danger of retaliation."

She even went as far as to confirm to media at a briefing (after she was informed about the situation by SAPS and Disaster Risk Management) that the farmer died. The next day this fact was also pointed out on RSG (national Afrikaans radio service of SABC).

The tenor and tone of her messages on Twitter during the height of the conflict and outburst was clearly showing her siding with farmers and blaming it all on the ANC and Cosatu. She even went as far as to vilify Cosatu by saying it "intends people to die".

Zille also created tensions by repeatedly inferring (even this morning) Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant's overseas visit means no attention is given to the grievances, fully aware of the fact that an acting minister took care of all aspects raised.

Unconfirmed claims that "people are moving around farms trying to mobilise for an extension of the strike - from Botrivier to Piketberg" and that protesters are bussed in were spread widely.

"Yet, Zille herself acknowledged that the ‘spark' in De Doorns were angry Basotho workers accusing those from Zimbabwe of getting preferential treatment! This proves the disingenuous messages and accusations that inflamed more tensions than assisting to defuse the situation.

"The ANC calls on the authorities to investigate the evidence and assess the ambiguous and inflammatory role played by the premier to aggravate the tensions," Mjongile added.

Statement issued by Songezo Mjongile , ANC Western Cape Provincial Secretary, November 21 2012

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