ACDP National
Media Statement
Bongani Luthuli, ACDP Youth Foundation National Coordinator

ACDP Youth Foundation statement on the East London tavern tragedy

The ACDP expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the young lives that perished in curious circumstances in East London.

That such lives would be lost at the twilight days of the youth month, is not lost to us in the ACDP.

The deaths of these young lives in a place they should not have been allowed to be in the first place, exposes the moral collapse of the nation.

This tragedy calls on the nation to have a national dialogue about young people’s access to alcohol, even below the drinking age limit.

This tragedy should be used as a moment of reflection for the ruling party to stop its attempts at passing the BELA Bill which seeks to allow the sale of alcohol at special school events.

This tragedy should remind South Africa of the need for a godly government.

The ACDP Youth Foundation calls on the nation of South Africa to restore the power to discipline and chastisement of children, which has been taken away from parents and teachers.

This tragedy should be used as a moment of reflection at how rudderless the leadership of South Africa is at current.

The ACDP Youth Foundation calls for the owner of the tavern to account for the needless loss of young lives and that he faces the full might of the law.

Furthermore, the ACDP Youth Foundation calls on the Liquor Board to immediately seize the liquor license of the establishment and investigate its granting in the first place.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

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ACDP Parliament
Media Statement
By ACDP Deputy President, Wayne Thring MP

ACDP response to Zondo Commission recommendations

The African Christian Democratic Party is pleased that the work of the Zondo Commission into State capture, corruption, and fraud in the public sector has concluded with the release of its final report. The ACDP would like to comment on three of the many recommendations made by the Commission.

Firstly, we support the electoral reform recommendation to scrap the system which sees the party that wins elections select the country’s President. Hence, we support the recommendation which would give voters the right to choose the President directly. This recommendation seeks to prevent a compromised President of a political party, that wins the majority vote in a national/provincial election, from being elected as President over the nation. The ACDP sees this recommendation as a step in the right direction.

The ACDP also notes that the Zondo Commission ventured further into the terrain of electoral reform by suggesting, in its final recommendations, that the proposals made by an electoral task team headed by Dr Frederik van Zyl Slabbert in 2003 be given “serious consideration”. The position of the ACDP on this recommendation is that we adopt a similar system to that which applies to Local Government Elections, where 50% of MP’s/MPL’s should be chosen by proportional representation and the other 50% from a constituency.

Secondly, the ACDP fully supports the recommendation of a Standing Appointment and Oversight Committee, to be chaired by a retired judge, which would hold public hearings to fill vacancies on SOE boards and appoint the CEOs, CFOs and chief procurement officers of SOEs. This Committee would then recommend the three best-qualified candidates to the relevant minister, who must appoint one of the candidates or provide a valid written explanation to the board within 30 days as to why no candidates are approved. Clearly “cadre deployment” to key SOE positions, where these cadres did not necessarily have the requisite skills and qualifications, has caused many of our SOE’s to be “no longer a going concern” (bankrupt).

Finally, while the ACDP supports the idea of establishing a permanent version of the State Capture Commission, potentially to be called the Anti-State Capture and Corruption Commission, we do have some reservations which relates to cost. The ACDP would first want to quantify what cost a permanent State Capture Commission would be to the fiscus, noting that the cost of the Zondo Commission was in excess of some R1 billion, and that South Africa currently faces fiscal and monetary constraints, with high unemployment, low GDP growth and an ever growing debt to GDP ratio.

The ACDP wishes to place on record, our thanks to the Zondo Commission for the work done, and now calls for those who would be found guilty of fraud and corruption in the public sector to be brought to book irrespective of the position they hold.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

Please note: This email and its content are subject to the disclaimer as displayed at the following URL: https://www.parliament.gov.za/email-disclaimer

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast, a leader in email security and cyber resilience. Mimecast integrates email defenses with brand protection, security awareness training, web security, compliance and other essential capabilities. Mimecast helps protect large and small organizations from malicious activity, human error and technology failure; and to lead the movement toward building a more resilient world. To find out more, visit our website.

ACDP Parliament
Media Statement
By ACDP Deputy President, Wayne Thring MP

ACDP reacts to AG audit outcomes of municipalities

The ACDP notes the 2020-2021 Municipality audit report delivered by the Auditor General, Tsakani Maluleke.

As the ACDP, we are not surprised by the low levels of progress, indicated in this report as compared to the last.

The report expectedly showed that there has been very little improvements and changes in how our municipalities are run.

Only 41 of South Africa’s 257 municipalities received a clean audit in the last year, with more than half of these being from the Western Cape (22).

For the fifth year running, not a single Municipality in the Free State received a clean audit.

Just like the AG Maluleke, the ACDP is concerned about the consistent pattern which reveals a lack of transparency, accountability, performance and integrity in our local municipalities.

In addition, 25 municipalities received a disclaimer (which is the worst form of audit response). 100 municipalities received unqualified audits and 9 municipalities were declared to not have submitted adequate information to be assessed by the office of the AG.

Although there has been a slight increase (of 14 more municipalities) in the number of clean audits compared to the 27 from the previous year, the report by the AG indicated that the economic status of South Africa’s municipalities remains in a shambolic state.

While the ACDP welcomes the detailed and transparent AG report we take no pleasure in reading about our many municipalities that are no longer going concerns.

The ACDP calls on South Africans to note and act on this report, so that in the next Local Government Elections, the shackles of illogical dependency and trust in a continuously failing ANC-led government may be broken through the power of the ballot.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

Please note: This email and its content are subject to the disclaimer as displayed at the following URL: https://www.parliament.gov.za/email-disclaimer

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast, a leader in email security and cyber resilience. Mimecast integrates email defenses with brand protection, security awareness training, web security, compliance and other essential capabilities. Mimecast helps protect large and small organizations from malicious activity, human error and technology failure; and to lead the movement toward building a more resilient world. To find out more, visit our website.

ACDP Parliament
Media Statement
By ACDP President, Rev Kenneth Meshoe MP

Statement on 3% increase for POB’s

The African Christian Democratic Party notes that President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted recommendations to increase the salaries of politicians and other government officials by 3%. These recommendations were made by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers, applying to all categories of public office-bearers, including ministers and their deputies, premiers, MECs, MPs, MPLs, traditional leaders and judges.

In a meeting held by the National Executive Committee of the ACDP on Monday, 20 June 2022, the NEC took a decision to call for the increased remuneration of Public Office Bearers to be placed on hold until such time that our economy improves.

The ACDP is not unsympathetic to the needs of Public Office Bearers, who like millions of other workers have gone without salary increases for at least two years, while inflation has continued to grow during this period.

Furthermore, the ACDP is cognizant of the economic challenges facing our nation, such as low GDP growth, a high debt to GDP ratio, massive unemployment, inconsistent energy supply (ESKOM), collapsing SOE’s and Municipalities, across the country, to mention a few.

It is against this background that the NEC of the ACDP has made the call to halt the 3% increase of POB’s.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

Please note: This email and its content are subject to the disclaimer as displayed at the following URL: https://www.parliament.gov.za/email-disclaimer

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast, a leader in email security and cyber resilience. Mimecast integrates email defenses with brand protection, security awareness training, web security, compliance and other essential capabilities. Mimecast helps protect large and small organizations from malicious activity, human error and technology failure; and to lead the movement toward building a more resilient world. To find out more, visit our website.

ACDP National
Press Statement
By ACDP Secretary General, Mr Raymond Tlaeli

ACDP Press Statement on Councillor Dladla

The ACDP has noted with concern complaints about the voting record of ACDP Councillor S. Dladla in the KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM), and his support for the ANC in critical votes relating to the MPAC Chairperson, the KDM Municipal Manager and the KDM Municipal Budget.

After the party leadership raised the issue with Cllr Dladla, he tendered an apology and gave the assurance that it would not happen again. In view of his apology, and the fact that Cllr Dladla was only elected in November 2021, the ACDP issued a written warning to him. The party will also be closely monitoring his performance and voting record in the municipal council.

While ACDP councillors are hard-working and diligent, the party has also strengthened its provincial and national oversight and monitoring mechanisms over its councillors. The ACDP is committed to play an effective role in the local municipalities where it has elected representatives either as opposition to the ANC, or as part of the multi-party governing coalitions. The Councillor’s error should not be construed as the ACDP being in collaboration with the ANC.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

Please note: This email and its content are subject to the disclaimer as displayed at the following URL: https://www.parliament.gov.za/email-disclaimer

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast, a leader in email security and cyber resilience. Mimecast integrates email defenses with brand protection, security awareness training, web security, compliance and other essential capabilities. Mimecast helps protect large and small organizations from malicious activity, human error and technology failure; and to lead the movement toward building a more resilient world. To find out more, visit our website.

ACDP Parliament
Media Release
By Marie Sukers MP

ACDP MP says Jaco Swart’s slap on the hand cannot equate to appropriate justice

ACDP Member of Parliament Marie Sukers says that Jaco Swart was given a slap on the hand which cannot equate to appropriate justice.

Swart was convicted and handed a R20 000 fine and a suspended prison sentence in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court for assaulting his estranged wife.

Sukers said that "It is with utter horror, that as a nation we are jolted awake to the brutality of domestic abuse, and the impact on anyone who suffers at the hands of an abuser.

"Violence against the vulnerable is not private, it leaves scars that survivors carry for years, and it alters their self-perception and relationships for the longest time. The trauma of abuse and its effects on particularly the defenceless is brutal.

"In my opinion, the court failed the victim when it disallowed video evidence during sentencing arguments especially because it was available, could have been authenticated – even if it would have delayed proceedings, and could have resulted in the victim receiving the justice she deserved."

"The failure of the courts to give appropriate justice is what must be addressed with urgency", Sukers added.

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

Please note: This email and its content are subject to the disclaimer as displayed at the following URL: https://www.parliament.gov.za/email-disclaimer

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast, a leader in email security and cyber resilience. Mimecast integrates email defenses with brand protection, security awareness training, web security, compliance and other essential capabilities. Mimecast helps protect large and small organizations from malicious activity, human error and technology failure; and to lead the movement toward building a more resilient world. To find out more, visit our website.

ACDP Parliament
Budget Vote 1: The Presidency
Speech by ACDP President, Rev Kenneth Meshoe MP

ACDP leader tells President Ramaphosa he needs to answer critical questions about what happened at his game farm

“House Chairperson, Honourable President, and Members.

On the 25th of May 2019, President Ramaphosa delivered his speech that reverberated for months throughout the country.

He said and I quote: “I am humbled by the trust you have bestowed upon me, aware of the challenges our country faces, but also alive to the fact that our people are filled with hope for a better tomorrow.”

Indeed, Chairperson, the majority of South Africans trusted the President and were filled with hope for a better tomorrow. But, alas, that hope was short-lived.

The allegations of corruption, money-laundering, racketeering, defeating the ends of justice against the President, have left many devastated and deeply disappointed. Rather than taking responsibility for breaking the laws of this country, the President maintains that his hands are clean, and his integrity is intact.

Chairperson, the President cannot continue evading critical questions that have resulted from what happened at his Phala Phala game farm. These questions that demand answers include the following:

Firstly, why did the President keep foreign currency to the value of US$ 4 million at his farm while knowing it is illegal to do so?

Secondly, who brought the foreign currency onto the farm, and was it cleared with customs before it was brought onto the farm?

Thirdly, why was the break-in and theft of that foreign currently that was found hidden in the furniture, not reported to the police?

Fourthly, if that money came from sales of animals on the farm, as some have alleged, has tax been paid on those sales?

And fifthly, is it true Mr President that a domestic worker there was bribed, and allegedly even tortured, to ensure they do not talk about what happened on the farm – we want to know?

While I know that justice must take its course, and a full independent inquiry has to investigate these serious allegations, much will have to be done to restore the nation’s trust and confidence in the President. I urge him to be transparent and not to try and make excuses or hide any truth.

To the President, I directly want to say: Sir, please do not allow this Phala Phala incident to be part of your legacy. Where there is fault, you need to repent and make right, not only as head of state, but also because you are responsible before God.

I want to remind you further, Mr President, that King Solomon, once said, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper. But, whoever confesses them and forsakes them, will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13).

I wish that you will do that. Thank you, Sir.”

-ENDS-

Issued by: ACDP Parliamentary Media Office

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

Please note: This email and its content are subject to the disclaimer as displayed at the following URL: https://www.parliament.gov.za/email-disclaimer

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast, a leader in email security and cyber resilience. Mimecast integrates email defenses with brand protection, security awareness training, web security, compliance and other essential capabilities. Mimecast helps protect large and small organizations from malicious activity, human error and technology failure; and to lead the movement toward building a more resilient world. To find out more, visit our website.

ACDP Parliament
Budget Vote 2: Parliament
Speech by ACDP Parliamentary Whip, Steve Swart MP

ACDP says it is regrettable that Parliament’s role was limited regarding Covid-19 regulations

“Madam Speaker,

The ACDP considers Parliament’s Budget vote against a number of significant challenges. The first relates to the impact of Covid 19, and, in our view, the limited role that Parliament was able to play – or no role – on the disaster management regulations and the extension of the State of Disaster for more than two years.

It is highly regrettable that Dr Groenewald’s eminently reasonable private member’s Bill to give parliament a far greater say was not agreed to by this House on what the ACDP believes are flawed legal arguments.

The sad part, honourable Speaker, is that certain of the state of disaster lockdown regulations have now been included under the National Health Regulations, quite wrongfully, in our view. What is even more concerning, is that, yet again, Parliament had no say over the contents of these health regulations.

Now, let’s make it clear once again, the ACDP remains opposed to mandatory Covid-19 vaccines, and we commend church leaders who have rejected those health regulations saying it is ‘vaccines through the backdoor’. Pastor Ray McCauley has said ‘we will not subject ourselves and the people we lead to a vaccine mandate and deny them the right to worship.’ The ACDP agrees.

Clearly, the second issue, Madam Speaker, relates to the devastating fire at Parliament, and yes, we agree with you that we need to find a venue and to make sure that we are all back at work. If everybody else is working, schools are reopening, then we as parliamentarians need to set that example. And yes, I took a walk now to the NCOP section – it is looking beautiful – and we do believe the billions will need to be spent to rebuild this Parliament in terms of the Heritage legislation.

The ACDP has also noted the Zondo Commission’s findings against Parliament – obviously there will be more findings in the final report. And whilst there were a number of brave MPs across the political divide, (honourable Mazzone will know, Team South Africa, that took on and exposed [corruption] during the Eskom Inquiry), who did their best to expose state capture and corruption, clearly far more could have been done, and hence the apology from the Speaker to the Zondo Commission at that time.

Speaker, the ACDP looks forward to Parliament implementing those measures from the commission’s report with regard to areas where Parliament was found to have missed out on its oversight function, and, of course, where we will now have to exercise an oversight looking at those areas where the Executive also failed, as set out in the Zondo Commission report.

Speaker, what I would also like to raise is an issue I’m continually concerned about, and that is the tardy response of Parliament from the Executive to Constitutional Court deadlines, placing enormous pressure on us. We welcome the fact that some measures have been put in place to avoid that (Speaker, you referred to the Electoral Commission) but far more needs to be done so that we don’t sit with this pressure.

Lastly, the ACDP would like to thank the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, House Chairs, and all staff members for their hard work and commitment. It has not been an easy time following the fire, but we greatly appreciate all that you do to ensure that Parliament carries out its constitutional duties.

Thank you so much and well done with the clean audit.”

(Check against delivery)

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

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ACDP Parliament
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, on the African Charter on Statistics to Parliament for Ratification, Signing and Deposit of the Instrument, Date: 1 December 2021
Speech by ACDP Deputy President, Wayne Thring MP

ACDP says poor leadership and the gap between the supply and demand for statistical information is the setback to Africa’s integration and development processes

“Honourable House Chairperson,

The ACDP acknowledges that statistical knowledge helps one use the proper methods to collect data, employ the correct analysis, and effectively present the results. Statistics is a crucial process behind how we make discoveries in science, make decisions based on data and make predictions.

Furthermore, the ACDP is aware that the African Charter on Statistics is guidedby Member States’ unambiguous and shared vision on the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community adopted in Abuja, Nigeria, in 1991, with the aim of promoting economic, social, cultural, and self-sustained development, as well as integration of African economies.

Jean Ping, the former president of the United Nations General Assembly said, “the use of harmonized and reliable statistics in all fields of political, social, economic and cultural activity is recommended for the monitoring of the implementation of the ongoing integration process in the continent on which African States embarked several years back.

Although there has been significant progress in Africa’s statistical system over the last few years with the advent of several initiatives, it should be pointed out that there is an immense gap between the supply and demand for statistical information needed for development and for the African integration process. For the moment, quality statistical data produced by the African statistical system is virtually inexistent.

It is to remedy this shortfall, which is a setback to Africa’s integration and development processes, that the decision-making organs of the African Union took the historic step to call for the elaboration of an African Charter on Statistics, which will serve not only as a legal instrument to regulate statistical activity but also as a tool for advocacy and the development of statistics in Africa.

Honourable House Chairperson, in supporting the recommendation in this report, the ACDP asserts that of all the challenges Africa faces, the number 1 challenge, is a challenge of poor leadership. Like South Africa, Africa is not without moral, ethical, upright, and intelligent servant leaders. The African electorate must learn to choose these leaders, rather than the corrupt, immoral, self-serving leaders of political parties.

Thank you.”

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

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ACDP Parliament
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on the Disaster Management Amendment Bill [B2-2021]
Speech by ACDP Parliamentary Whip, Steve Swart MP

ACDP withholds support for COGTA Report on the Disaster Management Amendment Bill, and commends Dr Groenewald in his Bill

“House Chairperson,

The ACDP, like all parties, initially supported the hard Covid-19 lockdown regulations for the reasons given, namely to “flatten the curve” and enable public health care facilities to prepare for the expected Covid-19 pandemic. We all thought it would be short-lived, understanding the delicate balance that had to be struck between saving lives and livelihoods. However, it soon became apparent that many irrational regulations were having a devastating impact on the economy, resulting in tens of thousands of businesses closing, with millions losing their jobs.

Besides the many irrational lockdown provisions, such as that relating to whether roast chicken could be sold, what type of clothes and shoes could be bought, where and when you could exercise, worship, pray, there was also the flagrant disregard for the rights of citizens.

The worst possible abuse occurred early in the lockdown with the tragic death of Mr Collins Khoza at the hands of security officials. It is sad that High Court Judge Fabricius had to restate what should have been obvious, that every citizen is protected by the Bill of Rights.

But he went further to find that there was a complete lack of trust between the government on the one hand and society on the other.

This was deeply disturbing, yet Parliament as the elected representatives of the people had no say over the contents of draconian disaster management regulations, or the monthly extensions of the state of disaster for more than two years.

Dr Groenwald’s proposed amendment Bill sought to restrict the COGTA Minister’s powers and to make her more accountable to Parliament – by requiring parliamentary approval to extend a state of disaster, as well as for Parliament to approve new regulations. This is eminently reasonable and supported by the ACDP.
The argument about the separation of powers is deeply flawed. In a section 37 state of emergency, which is very similar to what was practically experienced under the state of disaster, Parliament’s permission must be sought for any extension. This makes eminent sense, and there is no reason why Parliament should not similarly have a say on the extension of the state of disaster or why regulations should not be submitted to it, given the abuse that citizens endured.

A court may also decide on the declaration, extension, or any legislation enacted, or other action taken, in consequence of a state of emergency. Yet, astonishingly, government lawyers in the Collins Khoza case had the audacity to argue that a court had no function in that matter and ought not to even hear a case under a state of disaster. Thankfully, this argument was given short shrift by the judge, but it does illustrate an arrogant attitude that prevailed at that time.

In many cases, traumatised citizens were even told even by municipal and traffic police that they “had no rights” under lockdown regulations. More than 350 000 citizens were arrested for minor breaches of lockdown regulations, and where admission of guilt fines was paid, they now have criminal records.

What we have seen sadly is many of the lockdown regulations now being continued with under the Health Regulations, again with no parliamentary input. This must be opposed in the strongest terms.

The ACDP commends Dr Groenewald in his Bill, and hence will not support this Report.

I thank you.”

(Check against delivery)

-ENDS-

Media inquiries:
Keeno Petersen, ACDP Parliamentary Media Officer, E-mail: kpetersen@parliament.gov.za or Cell: 073-580-2902

Disclaimer

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This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast, a leader in email security and cyber resilience. Mimecast integrates email defenses with brand protection, security awareness training, web security, compliance and other essential capabilities. Mimecast helps protect large and small organizations from malicious activity, human error and technology failure; and to lead the movement toward building a more resilient world. To find out more, visit our website.