Parliamentary News Digest 1 August 2003
ACDP Parliamentary newsletter
This has been the last week of recess at Parliament, with MP's returning
from their constituency offices around the country on Monday. They will be
involved in Committee meetings until the end of August, when Parliament will
once again begin sitting.
Here is the news from Parliament this week:
1. Scorpions must investigate missing Aids millions - press release
2. Deputy-President Zuma should take leave of absence - press release
3. loveLife's campaign deadly to youth - letter to Argus
4. ACDP reaches out into Malmesbury
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1. Scorpions must investigate missing Aids millions - The following media
statement was issued by Steve Swart on July 24:
Allegations that millions of Rands earmarked for Aids sufferers in the North
West Province have disappeared, should be urgently investigated by the
Scorpions, says ACDP spokesperson on justice Steve Swart.
Responding to the allegations made by a representative of People living with
Aids (PWA) in the North West against Tsholofelo Trust, Swart said that it
was disgraceful that according to reports, Aids sufferers in the province
have not received a cent from the trust.
"The Premier should take political responsibility for this trust, which he
established more than four years ago," Swart said, "to ensure that HIV/Aids
sufferers, who need the money most, benefit from the funds raised for the
province."
For more information: Steve Swart MP at 083 285 6290
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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2. Deputy-President Zuma should take leave of absence - The following media
statement was issued by ACDP leader Revered Kenneth Meshoe on July 30:
The ACDP is very disappointed by media reports that Deputy President Jacob
Zuma may have misled Parliament by not declaring any possible interests in
Schabir Shaik's company African Defence Systems.
"The fact that the Scorpions are investigating Mr Zuma's possible financial
interests has cast a shadow of suspicion over his honesty, transparency and
integrity," Rev Meshoe said on Wednesday. "The position he holds as the
second-most senior official in the country demands that he is trusted not
only by the people of South Africa but the international community as well.
"The ACDP calls on him to take a leave of absence as Deputy President and
follow the example of former Cabinet Minister Mac Maharaj who took leave as
a director at FirstRand while he under investigation by the Scorpions.
"As long as he is under investigation, it is not in the best interests of
South Africa for Mr Zuma to continue in his position as well as working as a
mediator in the Burundi peace process. This type of position requires
honesty and transparency," Rev Meshoe said.
For more information: Rev. Kenneth Meshoe MP at 082 962 5884
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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3. loveLife's campaign deadly to youth - The following letter was sent to
the Argus by Cheryllyn Dudley MP on July 30 in response to a similar letter
by Pastor Errol Naidoo:
The letter by Errol Naidoo (Argus July 25) rightly challenges the investment
by the government, of millions of taxpayer's money in loveLife campaigns,
which have failed to curb unsafe sex among young people. Added to this
hundreds of millions of Global funds have been channelled to loveLife with
government approval and support.
The research by the SA Medical Journal showing increased promiscuity among
teenagers confirms what has been plain for all to see, that the government's
official HIV prevention and education campaign is not working.
The controversial campaign window dresses its message of masturbation,
condoms and homosexual relationships with casual references to delaying
sexual intercourse, while offering detailed explanations on how to 'please
your lover' and how to play sexy games. These mixed messages undermine the
powerful message of abstinence outside of marriage, self-discipline and self
esteem and are treated with contempt by teens, who, primarily credit
loveLife with saying "it's OK to have sex".
According to sex education material from loveLife, with explicit
instructions on sexually arousing each other, masturbating your partner
without making it clear beforehand that you do not want sex is playing with
fire. This is like saying I don't want to get burned before putting my hand
in the fire. Is it possible that loveLife could be this naive?
The advice given to our youth is lethal in view of the tragic consequences
of HIV/Aids and should be a criminal offence, let alone sponsored by our tax
money.
Time has run out for loveLife, which will be looking to extend its contract
with the government for a further five years. The damage done in the last
five years is shocking and if the government persists with their insane
'prevention' strategy, they will face the consequences. Although not alone
in this liberal lunacy, Government is responsible and must be held
accountable for the young lives destroyed emotionally and physically by this
social experiment.
Cheryllyn Dudley, African Christian Democratic Party MP
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4. Media Release: African Christian Democratic Party reaches out into
Malmesbury
Making a difference to the community and caring for each other was the focus
of the African Christian Democratic Party meeting held at the J&T Hall in
Malmesbury on Wednesday night, where the newest branch of the party was
formed.
Addressing a gathering of local residents, National Party Organiser Demi
Dudley and National Executive Committee chairman Dr Herkie Sandenberg spoke
on the importance of Christian values in tackling crime in South Africa and
the implications of the government's religion in education policy.
Mr Dudley encouraged residents to take a hard look at the direction the
country is going in, and whether the ANC government was taking the right
steps to ensure the well-being of each South African.
Quoting crime statistics, Mr Dudley said that in the 44 years from 1950 to
1993, there was an average of 7 036 murders per year. However that average
has increased in to over 24 000 per year under ANC rule according to
official statistics, with the figures from international police body
Interpol showing that this rate is over 47 000 per year.
Only half of all murder cases are sent to court, with only 4 007 resulting
in a guilty verdict. According to Medical Research Council statistics that
reported 32 482 murders in 2000, for every eight murders, only one murderer
was convicted.
Mr Dudley elaborated on the ACDP's crime eradication strategy which includes
harsher sentences and tightening up of the parole system, denial of bail for
violent crime, reinstitution of the death penalty for certain crimes and
introducing innovative justice methods to prevent juvenile offenders from
becoming hardened criminals.
Both Mr Dudley and Dr Sandenberg emphasised however that it was necessary
for Christians to stand together and take an interest in what is going on in
their communities and politics, in order to make a difference. The community
was encouraged to become members of the party and to work together to create
a safer, more community-friendly environment and a new branch of the party
was formed to start this process.
As the fastest growing political party in South Africa, the African
Christian Democratic Party has shown considerable growth since its inception
in 1994. Representing South Africans from all walks of life, the party is
based on Christian values and stands for freedom of religion, family values,
an open market economy, community empowerment and human rights.
For more information: Demi Dudley at 082 495 4788
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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