The African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee (NEC) on Saturday reaffirmed its confidence in the South African police force and law-enforcement agencies.
Every effort should be made to assist the police and law-enforcement agencies, using resources and capacity from all sectors of society to fight crime, ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said in a statement.
”To this end, the NEC agreed that an extensive mass campaign should be undertaken to mobilise communities to assume leadership in the struggle for peace, stability and safer communities,” said Ngonyama.
”Though progress has been made in gradually reducing levels of serious crime, this scourge continues to impact severely on the quality of life of people and without decisive action to curb crime, it could undermine efforts to ensure the country is able to realise its social and economic potential.”
Ngonyama said the allegations linking police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi to criminals was not on the NEC agenda as reported in the media earlier.
However, it was noted at the meeting that the matter was being looked into and ”if any wrongdoing is found to have been committed by any person then appropriate action will be taken”.
Another item not on the NEC agenda that received attention was sexual harassment allegations made against ANC chief whip Mbulelo Goniwe.
”The NEC noted a report that the ANC national disciplinary committee would be holding a disciplinary hearing into a complaint of sexual harassment brought against the ANC chief whip in the National Assembly.
”Consistent with the rules and procedures of the ANC constitution, the NEC agreed not to discuss or comment on this matter until the disciplinary process has been completed,” said Ngonyama.
The NEC also confirmed its support for the implementation of the taxi recapitalisation programme.
Ngonyama said the programme was part of improving the quality and safety of public transport.
”The ANC will continue to engage with all local stakeholders, including the taxi industry and commuters, to ensure that this process succeeds in its objectives.
”The NEC calls on government to accelerate the scrapping of old taxis and their replacement with new vehicles that meet acceptable standards of safety,” Ngonyama said.
It was also agreed at the meeting that the ANC would intensify its Imvuselelo campaign to develop the party’s membership and engage them in regular work among communities.
Ngonyama said community work would include members of the ANC from the NEC level down to provincial, regional and branch level.
The NEC also focused on international items, with particular emphasis being placed on the opportunities and challenges for Africa’s growth and development.
These discussions included growing economic relations between Africa and China; the south-south cooperation (the India-Brazil-South Africa initiative); progress in the implementation of Nepad (New Partnership for Africa’s Development); and Africa’s increased role in international institutions like the United Nations Security Council.
The meeting, held on Friday and Saturday, was the last ANC NEC meeting for the year. — Sapa