You have to expect politicians, the ultimate opportunists, to turn events to advantage. But there’s something cynical about Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa telling party faithful the ANC is going to “get” those who assassinated 12 of its candidates in the run-up to the August 3 election. For one thing, finding murderers is the police’s job. For another, if there was ever a way to encourage kangaroo courts, this is it. But mostly, all evidence shows the assassinations are actually a result of the ANC’s own internecine battles because the prize of being tapped for the post has become so great, factions are prepared to kill for them. A statesman would be seeking to address the cause rather than the symptom. And the cause is blatantly obvious. To repeat Benjamin Franklin’s sage advice from two centuries back, when riches accrue through public office, the consequences are disastrous. – Alec Hogg    Â
By Amanda Khoza, News24
Durban – The ANC is coming for you. This was the stern warning the party’s deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday gave to those assassinating ANC candidates in KwaZulu-Natal.
“To those who are killing our candidates and hell-bent on being executioners of our candidates. I want to send a warning that if you think that you are going to finish the ANC by executing our candidates, we are going to get you.”
Ramaphosa was speaking at a mini rally in Folweni, south of Durban, where he was addressing a crowd of about 1 000 people.
He said those who committed the senseless killings in the province, where about 12 ANC candidates have died in what are believed to be politically motivated killings, would be brought to book.
On Nelson Mandela Day [Monday], two ANC members and candidates were shot and killed just a few hours apart.
Bongani Skhosana, a Ward 1 candidate in the Umziwabantu municipality, in the Lower South Coast region, was killed in his car in front of his children as he was about to take them to school.
Khanyisile Sibisi, 41, was shot in the afternoon while on her way to donate goods at a Mandela Day event in Ladysmith.
Intimidation
Deaths linked to suspected politically motivated killings in KwaZulu-Natal have risen in the lead-up to the August 3 local government elections.
According to a Mercury newspaper report, the latest killings bring the total number of ANC member deaths to 12 – four in Pietermaritzburg, two in Newcastle and the rest from other parts of the province.
Ramaphosa says they'll arrest those killing ANC candidates in KZN. Can they arrest those who killed Marikana miners first. All lives matter.
— LesetjaMO (@MoLesetja) July 22, 2016
Among them was Thembi Mbongo‚ 35‚ a candidate for Ward 6, outside Osizweni, near Newcastle. She was shot dead in front of her husband and children on July 2. Her killers knocked at the door of her home and asked to speak to her.
On June 8, ANC members Badedile Tshapha, 54, and Phetheni Ngubane, 50, were shot while making their way home from a branch general meeting in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg.
Former Mpofana municipality chief financial officer Simo Mncwabe was killed in Edendale while taking his children to school.
ANC Edendale branch chairperson Nathi Hlongwa was also shot dead in Mbali township.
Ramaphosa said, “We are going to make sure that we get you and [you are arrested] because the ANC cannot be intimidated by the killing of our candidates. Worst of all is that they are cowards who are going around killing women who are candidates.
“They are like witches; those doing such evil deeds are like witches. It is clear that there are those who don’t want us to succeed in these elections. It is clear that there are those that want us to lose.” –Â News24
Ramaphosa offers words of advice to incoming councillors
Amanda Khoza, News24
Durban – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday offered some advice to councillors who would be elected in the August 3 local government elections.
Speaking at a mini rally in Folweni, south of Durban, Ramaphosa encouraged a crowd of about 1 000 to go out and vote for their preferred councillors.
“These comrades will sign a contract with the ANC, the contract will say that they will work for the community and not for themselves and their pockets.
“We want people that will work for the community. After they have been elected, they must not be arrogant and stay away from communities. They should stay in the communities and humble themselves and not become those people that drive around in big cars and forget about the people.”
ANC Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa says for the first time ANC councillors will sign a performance contract with the ruling party.
— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) July 21, 2016
Ramaphosa said the councillors should not steal money from council.
“We don’t want councillors that will steal money that is meant to deliver services to communities.
Mistake to assume victory
“We also don’t want them to employ their families in council, they need to remember the volunteers and know that they were the ones that put them in power.
“When you employ people you should employ people with brains and not dumb people. We also don’t want oblivious and unqualified people. We want people that know their job and are qualified,” said Ramaphosa.
He encouraged the gathering to vote for the ANC so that eThekwini regional chairperson Zandile Gumede could become mayor.
Ramaphosa said another important mistake was some ANC supporters did not go out to vote because they assumed the ANC would win.
Read also:Â Updated polls: DA is comfortably ahead of ANC in key metros of Jhb, Pta, PE
“Our biggest enemy is that we don’t go out to vote, our supporter must go out and vote in August 3.”
eThekwini regional secretary Bheki Ntuli warned against independent candidates.
Independent candidates not welcome
“The Constitution of the ANC is clear that once you stand against the ANC, you must never wear an ANC T-shirt again. If we find you walking on the street wearing an ANC T-shit, we will strip you and you will walk around topless,” said Ntuli.
He said independent candidates undermined the ANC.
“Rule 25 clearly states that once you stand against the ANC, you have expelled yourself from the party. The provincial secretary said letters of expulsion had been sent out to independent candidates and we consider them fired.”
Ntuli said the ANC would not accept independent candidates after the elections. –Â News24
