ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 18 November 2003

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In this issue:

1. Don't stop preaching the truth
2. ACDP releases funding info to Idasa
3. Parliament oversight role distorted
4. Celebrating the Reformation

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1. Don't stop preaching the truth, says ACDP President

Media Statement by Reverend Kenneth Meshoe MP

African Christian Democratic Party President

18 November 2003

The ACDP was shocked to see that Gospel Singer Danie Botha is being taken to court by a Pretoria attorney accusing him of hate speech against homosexuals (Beeld 14 November 2003).

The attorney has alleged that Mr Botha's quote from the Bible saying that those involved in homosexual relationships will not see the Kingdom of God constitutes discrimination and hate speech. Mr Botha continued to say that if homosexuals were shocked by this, their eyes would be opened in hell.

"The fact is that the Bible clearly teaches that if sinners do not repent they will go to hell. This includes all sinners regardless of the type of sin, such as prostitutes, adulterers, fornicators and homosexuals," said ACDP President Reverend Kenneth Meshoe.

"The choice South Africans have is either to believe that the Bible is the Word of God and should be used as a guide to moral decisions, or to discard it.

"My concern is that through the targeting of Danie Botha, other preachers who refer to what the Bible considers sin, might be accused of hate speech, which will tempt the fearful and timid to stop proclaiming the truth of God," Rev Meshoe said.

Rev Meshoe said that Christians should not water down Scripture because it makes certain circles uncomfortable.

"Jesus said that people will know the truth and the truth will set them free and it is time to speak the truth in love and without apologies.

"The pubic should not limit Christian preaching to what is politically correct. If anyone's lifestyle is contrary to Bible teaching, in the words of Jesus Christ (Luke 13:3-5): unless sinners repent, they will perish," Rev Meshoe said.

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ACDP releases private funding information to Idasa

Media Statement by Louis Green MP

African Christian Democratic Party Chief Whip

18 November 2003

The African Christian Democratic Party has submitted audited account information as well as sources of private donations to the party to the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa).

"We are complying with Idasa's request by submitting our audited accounts for scrutiny because we feel political parties support political transparency and accountability to the electorate," said ACDP Chief Whip Mr Louis Green.

"Idasa is satisfied with our disclosure and has confirmed that they will not proceed with litigation regarding the release of sources of private funding.

"We are setting the example and we encourage other political parties to do the same and release information about their sources of donations, to help curb opportunities for corruption and a conflict of interest within political parties and the government," Mr Green said.

"Although we released certain information regarding donations in August to Idasa, it was not in great detail. We are now handing over the full information regarding our sources of donations and the amounts."

Mr Green said that South Africa requires a system of government that is accountable, representative and open and that the ACDP feels that this is a good opportunity to show its willingness to be transparent.

"Transparency and accountability to voters are among the most crucial elements of a democratic system and it is vital that voters do not feel the need to question the legitimacy of decisions made on their behalf because of the influence of donors.

"Parties that refuse to disclose their donations and sources must be questioned why and what they are trying to hide," said Mr Green.

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3. Parliament oversight role distorted

Debate on Report on Oversight and Accountability

Speech by African Christian Democratic Party MP Advocate Mighty Madasa


18 November 2003

In terms of Chapter 4 Section 42(3) of Constitution, the National Assembly is elected to represent the people and to ensure government by the people under the constitution. It does this by scrutinizing and overseeing executive action.

Powers of the National Assembly granted in terms of Section 55(a) must ensure that all executive organs of state in the national sphere of government are accountable to it and maintain oversight over them.

In terms of section 42(3), Parliament chooses the President to ensure that the people govern.

In practice we have seen this parliament instead of ensuring oversight over the organs of state, especially the executive, doing so only against its own members. Parliament has been quick and even embarrassingly open when it dealt with MPs who have misused traveling vouchers.

Such members have been strictly dealt with, reported to the police in some instances, punished and some have resigned. Well and good. But when allegations have been leveled against some executive members or the entire government, suddenly the executive has reversed the roles and exercised oversight over parliament.

Members have been intimidated. Party discipline has been evoked. An impression has been created that protection of the executive against allegations of corruption is part and parcel of the defense of the revolution against reactionary forces and spies.

Corruption may be the new revolution but it is not in the interests of the people we were elected to represent and it is certainly not the kind of revolution that we must defend.

I hope that in the next term of parliament, especially in the advent of the Pan African Parliament, where we must play a leading role, we shall take our oversight role seriously.

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4. Celebrating the Reformation - by Cheryllyn Dudley, ACDP MP

On 31 October 1517 Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg. By God' s grace, Luther's courageous act of challenging the corruption and unbiblical practices of the Medieval Catholic hierarchy launched the Great Reformation.

"Unless I am convinced by Scripture or clear reasoning that I am in error - I cannot recant, for I am subject to the Scriptures I have quoted; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. It is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against one's conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. So help me God. Amen." Said Martin Luther.

To celebrate our Christian Heritage of faith and freedom, defended through the ages by reformers like John Wycliffe, John Hus, Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, John Knox and William Tyndale, the annual Reformation Conference, was again held in Cape Town in October.

As a result of the reformation:
. The Bible is available in many languages, Scripture is recognized as the final authority, and Christ alone is head of the Church. . We have religious freedom, liberty of conscience, free enterprise, the rule of law, separation of powers and constitutionally limited republics. I proclaim this day, in the words of Martin Luther,

"If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefront besides is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

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