ANC SECRETARY GENERAL FIKILE MBALULA @KASIBCNEWS

ANC SECRETARY GENERAL FIKILE MBALULA @KASIBCNEWS

We have convened this Press Conference to take the nation into confidence against developments taking place in the country  and as a way of closing the vacuum against a false narrative that the country is rudderless. 

These falsehoods instil uncertainty and worry in society. 

The leadership role of the African National Congress is uncontested. We therefore reaffirm our ability to address problems confronting the country and we call upon society to defend democracy and collectively explore solutions. The African National Congress (ANC), as the leader of society and the custodian of the aspirations of the people, takes this opportunity to address critical issues facing our nation. 

We assure our people that the ANC will not stand idle while lawlessness, criminality, and opportunism undermine the sovereignty of our country and the well-being of our citizens. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY ELECTIONS 

The African National Congress expresses heartfelt gratitude to South Africans for the electoral support in the December 4th by-elections across the country. This reaffirms the people's trust in the ANC as the custodian of their aspirations. From expanded access to essential services like water, electricity, and healthcare to equity in opportunities and South Africa’s respected standing in the global community, our 30-year transformation journey proves that South Africa today is a better place than we found it. 

This electoral outcome is a solemn mandate for the ANC to deliver, act, and lead decisively. We direct all ANC-led municipalities to act with urgency and discipline, ensuring the swift implementation of service delivery projects. Leaders must serve with humility, remain accessible, responsive, and transparent, particularly prioritizing the needs of women, youth, and people with disabilities, as they represent not just their offices but the millions who entrust the ANC with hope for progress. 

The ANC will not tolerate underperformance, inefficiency, or corruption within its structures. Leaders who fail to meet their mandate must rise to the challenge or step aside. We expect all our deployees to be guided by revolutionary morality in discharging their public duty. When services are delayed or promises broken, it is the ANC as a whole that is held accountable. 

We call on all leaders to honour the trust placed in them and work tirelessly to restore dignity and hope to our communities. South Africa cannot afford complacency, and the ANC will not allow self-interest to undermine progress. 

The time to act is now! 

INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND SHARED PROSPERITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, COLLABORATIONS AND AFRICAN UNION AGENDA 2063 

We reaffirm the ANC’s commitment to South Africa’s partnerships with nations across the globe, particularly the African nations with whom we share common developmental objectives, based on mutual growth and shared prosperity. In furtherance of this developmental vision, Nigeria is one of the countries with whom we share mutual interests and reciprocal growth. 

The relationship with Nigeria has strengthened trade, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation between the two countries. The call to have more Nigerian products on the shelves of South Africa is informed by the fact that we have less than 10 Nigerian companies operating in South Africa, while we have hundreds of South African companies operating in Nigeria. Our trade exchange value amounts to around US$ 3 billion in 2023, a significant partnership representing over 65% of trade, the highest in West Africa. However, to all immigrants residing in South Africa, whether from Africa or elsewhere in the world, we are clear: you are welcome here only if you respect the laws of our country and contribute positively to our society. 

There are those who exploit South Africa’s generosity and believe they can operate outside the law without consequences. We make it abundantly clear: South Africa is not a playground for lawlessness. As the President said, the relation of VISA laws as they relate to Nigerians does not equal entry into the country without a passport including necessary administration requirements. Anyone who undermines our legal system or compromises the safety and economic opportunities of South Africans will face the full might of the law. This includes immigrants who engage in criminal activities and South Africans who enable this criminality by illegally registering businesses or aiding criminal behaviour, zama-zamas, drug peddlers and drug laboratories and illegal immigrants. 

Our patience has been overstretched. South Africa’s hospitality must never be mistaken for weakness. Our communities cannot live in fear. The law must be enforced. The time is now!! As an organisation we continue to make strides in reclaiming the spaza shop sector as part of revitalizing township and rural economies. Many spaza shop owners are registering in-line with the President’s call, ensuring that South Africans benefit from this important sector of our economy, women, youth and people with disabilities.

The R500 million allocated to this initiative will impact thousands of lives, creating opportunities, economic growth and jobs. The time has come to enforce compliance more rigorously. We must not falter in ensuring that the laws of the country are fully implemented. This includes ensuring that no illegal immigrants are allowed to operate tuck shops. Those who are legally in the country, they must proof investment in the business of over R 5 million as required by the law. 

We are pleased that as of last night, 51 788 spaza shops have been registered with 45 percent being KwaZulu-Natal. 800 Spaza shops have been closed to date. With 93% of these being foreign owned. We call on the government to employ additional inspectors to monitor the sector and ensure that it serves its intended purpose: empowering South Africans and restoring economic dignity to our communities.  

The spaza shops that are not compliant as  per the President’s grace period should cease operating or face the law. We cannot watch when our children die, and the local economy suffer as a result of lawlessness.

COMRADE THEMBI SIMELANE’S MATTER 

On the matter of Comrade Thembi Simelane, the ANC is guided by its principles of integrity and ethical leadership. While the Integrity Committee addresses this matter internally, state investigations are continuing independently. The ANC does not prejudge the outcomes of these processes, but we remain resolute in our principle of stepping aside when charged, as a demonstration of accountability. The ANC respects the constitutional prerogative of the President when it comes to Cabinet appointments. We however note the heavy strain and impact of this matter on the organisational brand and image and the voices of civil society for her to step aside pending a full inquiry and other legal processes and independent bodies. We believe and trust in the ability of the independent bodies to discharge their mandate and responsibilities. 

 THE RELEASE OF JANUSZ WALUŚ 

Today, the murderer of our leader, Janusz Waluś will be released from prison, taking with him to his homeland the truth of the assassination of our leader, Comrade Martin Thembisile Chris Hani. We are reminded of the immense loss inflicted on our movement and our nation. Janusz Waluś deprived South Africa of one of its greatest leaders, and his release without a full confession of his actions and conspiracies remains an injustice. The heavy blow that he inflicted on the nation is palpably fresh, considering its painful effect on Comrade Chris’ children and his wife Cde Limpho. The assassination of Comrade Chris Hani was a well-orchestrated scheme designed to plunge the country into chaos, an attempt to subvert the course for a negotiated political settlement, thus deferring a dream for a democratic South Africa after many years of apartheid subjugation. This move was well calculated.  

Ironically, the brutal killing of Comrade Chris Hani, his selfless dedication to the struggle as a disciplined commissar of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the People’s Army, brought us the freedom and rights we enjoy today. This is a sad and painful moment for the Hani family, the ANC, the working class and the poor and the South African Communist Party for which he was the General Secretary. We to the conscience Janusz Waluś to tell the whole truth about the forces that orchestrated this heinous act. We call for a comprehensive inquiry into the assassination of Comrade Chris Hani to expose the full scope of this crime and bring closure to his family, the ANC, and the people of South Africa. South Africa is no home for assassins and murderers. Walus must leave the country now. 

SO-CALLED NATIONAL SHUTDOWN 

We dismiss the so-called national shutdown as nothing more than a failed attempt to sow chaos. These opportunists have no plan for building South Africa but only destruction. To our people, we say reject these distractions and remain focused on rebuilding our communities and creating opportunities for all. The ANC remains resolute in defending South Africa’s sovereignty, uplifting its people, and ensuring that our country is a home for all who respect its laws and contribute positively to its growth. We are here to lead, and we will not falter in this responsibility. 

We will not betray our values and principles nor abandon our goal of a non-racial, non-sexist democratic South Africa and a cause of “A better life for All.” Our democratically elected President, Comrade Cyril Ramaphosa remains our president and will be defended. The People Shall Govern!