ANC press statement following special meeting of the Provincial Executive Committee

The Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of the African National Congress in Eastern Cape held a Special Meeting on Monday, the 5th September 2016 at Canon James Calata House, the ANC Provincial Headquarters in King William’s Town. Fundamentally, the meeting was convened to frankly reflect and make an assessment of the political state of the ANC following the recent local government elections and other developments.

The PEC welcomed the preliminary assessment of the elections outcomes made by the National Executive Committee of the 11th to the 14th August 2016. In particular, the PEC reaffirmed the principle that we should all take collective responsibility for the weaknesses and shortcomings of the decline of our electoral support. However, the PEC also acknowledged that individual actions of leaders of the ANC [real or perceived] also taint the good image of the ANC as a credible and trustworthy movement to transform the lives of South Africans for the better. It is therefore against this particular backdrop that the PEC appeal to those in leadership positions to decisively tap into their consciousness, and take the appropriate action.

The PEC believes that the ANC and the broader Mass Democratic Movement must urgently engage in a robust introspection of the political moment and courageously embark on bold strategies to accelerate Organizational Renewal. In this regard, the PEC resolved to lobby for the convening of a National Consultative Conference composed of the cadres of the movement in the veterans.

The PEC also reflected and welcomed the Strategic Perspective that matters of leadership succession must be handled with maturity and discipline. In this regard, the PEC fully endorsed the notion of outlawing factionalism and slates. It is the firm view of the PEC that any leader of the ANC who has been reported to be part of secret meetings will be exposed and dealt with. The PEC further reaffirmed that the Unity of the ANC in the Province is sacrosanct.

The PEC further reaffirmed that there must be a decisive implementation of ANC decisions on implementing free higher education for the poor in South Africa. In this regard, the PEC believes there must be a serious reprioritization of financial resources to cater for a sustainable free education at higher education.

The PEC also remembers brutal killings of innocent and peace-loving people of South Africa in the Bisho Massacre of the 7th September 1992. Here, we must continue to honor the sacrifices made by ordinary men and women who in their thousands marched full of hope for a better tomorrow and wherein some could not return home. We must reaffirm that our people have the right to hope and the right to a future they desire.

The current generation thus has a responsibility to live up to the sacrifices and expectations of all South Africans. We reaffirm our deep commitment as the ANC to work together with our people to address all the socio-economic challenges that still bedevil our land.

The PEC also acknowledged that two regions in the province, namely, Amathole and Nelson Mandela Region are due to convene their respective regional conferences. In this regard, preparations for the conferences are already underway.

The PEC also strongly condemns the abduction of children, arson and the torching of homes of ANC Councilors, especially attacks towards women and children. As a matter of principle we condemn any use of violence and criminality in voicing community concerns. The PEC also acknowledges the crime statistics released by the National Minister of Police. In areas characterized by high levels of criminality, we call all the law enforcement agencies to work closely with communities in order to reduce the levels of crime in the province and the country.

NB: The Statement must be attributed to the ANC EC Spokesperson Mlibo Qoboshiyana.

For further information, please contact:

ANC EC Acting Communications Officer
Judy Ngoloyi
Mobile No: 073 117 6194
Email: judy.ngoloyi@gmail.com