Omar’s failure to get any concessions from Pagad has cast doubt on his ability to hold his present positions. Rehana Rossouw reports
JUSTICE Minister Dullah Omar’s failure to rein in Pagad is fuelling fears that he cannot juggle his ministerial position with his role as ANC leader in the Western Cape.
Political observers believe Omar’s performance at a summit with Pagad on Tuesday was ludicrous – one suggested the organisation had him by “the short and curlies”.
Omar has not been able to wrest a single concession from Pagad, despite months of negotiation. His attempts to draw in all sectors of government and the security establishment in addressing Pagad’s concerns have been met by its constant refusal to operate within the framework of the law.
But political observers say there are many factors militating against Omar in his attempts.
Omar has been Pagad’s prime target in national government, and his home has been besieged by them as well.The organisation has marked him as a soft target because he is seen as a Muslim leader in government. Omar is rooted in the Cape Flats, particularly in the Gatesville area which is Pagad’s known stomping ground.
Another factor that puts Omar squarely in Pagad’s sights is his position as leader of the ANC in the province.
“I believe if he was not chair of the ANC he could have dealt with Pagad far more clinically as justice minister,” said a political observer.
“Omar’s position may be causing him to disregard advice on Pagad’s political agenda. As head of intelligence, he must be extremely well briefed on the political forces at play in Pagad, yet he panders to them constantly. This can only be because he is concerned about the ANC’s support base in the Western Cape.
“He is allowing his position as ANC leader to overshadow his justice portfolio. He is far too soft on Pagad and he is setting a dangerous precedent for other anti-ANC forces.”
Omar has also received very little support from Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi, observers believe. “Crime in the Western Cape is not his line function, yet Mufamadi has walked away from the problem,” said a criminologist. Mufamadi’s representative denies this, saying his initiatives to combat crime in the province have yielded results.
ANC Western Cape secretary James Ngculu said the call this week for Omar’s resignation from his position as ANC chair was outrageous. He said people had made similar remarks when Mandela engaged right-wing whites but had to concede afterwards that it had helped to prevent civil war in South Africa.
“People who are looking for a hard-hitting, security force approach to Pagad are going to be disappointed. Pagad has to be engaged at the highest level and Dullah has our full support,” Ngculu said.
Other anti-crime initiatives in the Western Cape are also concerned about the outcome of Tuesday’s summit.
The Western Cape Anti-Crime Forum (WCACF) warned this week that Pagad’s intransigence could lead to further conflict in the province.
“Pagad should try to work with the authorities and other community-based initiatives. You can’t fight crime by disregarding the law. You can only win the battle against crime by organising and developing communities,” said WCACF spokesman Irvin Kinnes.
He said his organisation was working with Omar and supported his efforts.
“Pagad must realise that Omar has inherited a justice system which in the eyes of many communities has been unjust for decades. Omar still sits with the remnants of that system and people must realise there are those limitations,” Kinnes said.
Omar was not available for comment.