ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 26 August 2003
Here is the latest news from Parliament:
1. Moral regeneration at stake in SA
2. Land restitution needs farmer cooperation
3. ACDP offers sympathy to fire victims
4. Compulsory registration of voters necessary
5. Steve Swart discusses the death penalty on Radio Tygerberg
Indien u sou belangstel om in te teken op die ACDP se weeklikse Afrikaanse e-nuusbrief, skryf aan Johan Kriel by johankriel@acdp.org.za. Hierdeur sal u op die hoogte bly van 'n wye verskeidenheid sake wat die ACDP landswyd raak.
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1. Moral regeneration at stake in SA
Media Statement by ACDP leader Revered Kenneth Meshoe
Deputy president Jacob Zuma must either prove his innocence or step down in order to restore confidence in the integrity of the leadership of South Africa, says ACDP leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe.
"It is unacceptable that a leader of the country with evidence of corruption against him is allowed to remain in his position," said Rev Meshoe.
"Prima facie evidence of corruption against a man who is not only the deputy leader of a country, but also the head of the moral regeneration movement, threatens the credibility of the government and places doubt over the government's commitment to dealing with crime and corruption," Rev Meshoe said.
"Deputy President Zuma holds a position of public trust and responsibility. He carries the responsibility to perform his duties for the public good and not for personal or party benefit.
"The legal case against him must come to court to fulfil the promise made by the deputy president at the Moral Regeneration Summit that the government will use every resource to deal with corruption. We cannot have a situation where the public does not have confidence in the morals of the leader of a moral movement," Rev Meshoe said.
"The most basic of all values is respect - respect for oneself and for one's neighbour. Regenerating moral values and influencing the moral behaviour of our nation requires that our leaders show respect for the trust that has been placed in them by taking responsibility and dealing with corruption."
For more information:
Presidential Media Relations: Rev. Selby Khumalo at 082 476 4990 Parliamentary Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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2. Land restitution needs farmer cooperation
Media Statement by Cheryllyn Dudley
With less than two percent of land having changed hands from white to black owners, the government has fallen short of its redistribution goals, leading to much criticism of government and white farmers who are seen to be frustrating land reform.
While the ACDP supports the department of land affairs in its endeavours to find fair and reasonable solutions to issues surrounding land restitution, the cooperation of farmers is essential to land reform.
The powers given to the minister of agriculture and land affairs by the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill to expropriate land for restitution usurps the authority of the courts and could prove disastrous. Certain sectors of the agriculture industry have announced that they will challenge this contentious issue in court, threatening to delay the land restitution process further.
Land restitution is a sensitive issue that requires a change of attitudes across the spectrum, but it is not helpful to single out the specific sector of agriculture to pay for apartheid injustices.
Vital to the issue is not simply acquisition and availability of land, but how the land is used. South Africa is one of seven net food exporters in the world in spite of shallow soil and low rainfall, due to the tremendous skills accumulated, agriculturally and industrially. This major source of foreign exchange is an asset, which should be valued and protected.
It is counterproductive to target farmers with accusations of not cooperating and threatening to take their land. Instead, creating opportunities and support for emerging farmers, while also valuing efforts of existing commercial farmers, will ensure wealth creation and not a poverty trap for all.
For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520 or (021) 403 2453 Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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3. ACDP offers sympathy to fire victims
Media statement by Cheryllyn Dudley
The ACDP offers its deepest sympathy to those who have suffered as a result of the fires raging around the country.
"The bush fires in Mpumalanga have destroyed more than 10 000 hectares of veld and forest while fires in the Free State have caused great devastation and destroyed more than 100 000 hectares of land. Many have lost all their belongings and we call on the government to assist," said ACDP spokesperson on agriculture and land affairs Cheryllyn Dudley.
"We welcome efforts by business to assist providing relief and encourage those who are able to help to contribute where they can," Dudley said.
Those interested in assisting can contact Mr Lullu de Jager from the Free State Agricultural Union at 083 262 0312.
For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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4. Compulsory registration of voters necessary
The following motion by ACDP MP Kent Durr was accepted unanimously in the National Council of Provinces today:
26 August 2003
In respect of the coming and subsequent democratic elections in South Africa, the House calls upon the government generally and the Department of Home Affairs in particular to work towards encouraging the automatic registration of voters by local authorities and public bodies whenever voters apply for a municipal services, such as electricity, water, rates etc and that the particular service only be provided if the records shows that the applicant is registered as a voter at the address, if not, to ensure that the applicant applying for the service signs a voter registration form before the service is provided to ensure their registration at the address, as well as that of other related occupants at that address where possible.
Political parties would be free to continue with registration support to voters.
The same principle can be applied when TV licenses or telephone services are applied for.
The above procedures of automatic registration are the norm in many democratic countries and ensures a high degree of voter registration and thus participation at election time, and will save the country and political parties a huge amount of time and money.
For further comment: Kent Durr MP(NCOP) at 021 403 2472
ACDP Media Liaison Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307
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5. Catch Steve Swart discussing the death penalty on Radio Tygerberg
ACDP spokesperson on justice Steve Swart will be discussing the death penalty on Radio Tygerberg in the Western Cape tonight, Tuesday 26 August at 21:15.
This issue has become very topical in the run-up to the election, with many parties calling for the death penalty to be re-introduced amid much public support. Hear the ACDP's viewpoint on why we believe the death penalty is necessary and how it should be implemented.
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