ACDP calls for immediate reinstatement of Pikoli and parliamentary steps to protect independence of NPA

ATTENTION NEWS EDITOR
MEDIA RELEASE BY MR STEVE SWART, MP,
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
17th SEPTEMBER 2008
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PIKOLI – NPA: ACDP calls for immediate reinstatement of Pikoli and parliamentary steps to protect independence of NPA
*Says Ginwala Commission of Inquiry’s importance is if it also shows political interference in NPA.
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ACDP MP and spokesperson on Justice matters, Steve Swart, has called for the immediate reinstatement of Adv. Vusi Pikoli as National Director of Public Prosecutions following Nicholson’s judgment of last week.

“Whilst we appreciate that the judgment of Judge Chris Nicholson may be the subject of an appeal, his finding that there was a pattern of political interference in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is disturbing and must be urgently addressed by parliament.

As the judge pointed out, “The independence of the Judiciary is directly related to, and depends upon, the independence of the legal professions of the NDPP. Undermining this freedom from outside influence would lead to the entire legal process, including the functioning of the Judiciary, being held hostage to those interests that might be threatened by a fearless, committed and independent search for the truth”.

The judge went on to say that “it is a matter of grave concern that this process has taken place in the new South Africa given the ravages it caused under the Apartheid order”.

Judge Nicholson found that there should be no relationship between the National Director and the Minister of Justice – “certainly insofar as his decisions to prosecute or not to prosecute anybody from the Commission of Police downwards” and that “the suspension of the National Director was a most ominous move that struck at the core of a crucial state institution.”

In view of this finding, it is clear that the Ginwala Inquiry is important should it highlight the President and the Minister of Justice’s political interference in the NPA but otherwise, in terms of Pikoli’s fitness to hold office, it has become irrelevant. How can it inquire as to whether there was a breakdown in relations between the National Director and the Minister of Justice resulting in Adv. Pikoli not being fit to hold the position of National Director, if there should not have been such a relationship in the first place.

The ACDP consequently calls for the immediate reinstatement of Adv. Pikoli as the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
As far as protecting the independence of the NPA in general is concerned, the Justice Portfolio Committee will be considering the implications of the Nicholson judgment later today. The ACDP will, at the very least, recommend that we increase our parliamentary oversight function to ensure that there is no political interference from the side of the Executive in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion of the NPA.

We also need to obtain legal certainty as to the nature of the relationship, if any, between the Minister of Justice and the National Director when the Minister exercises her oversight function over the NPA. We will also recommend the National Director in future be appointed in a similar manner as a judge, as recommended by Judge Nicholson in order to prevent what happened to Adv. Pikoli recurring and ensuring the independence of the NPA."
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For more information, contact
Steve Swart MP,
083 285 6290

Released by Libby Norton,
ACDP Media Attaché,
Tel - 07 25 70 6361
lnorton@parliament.gov.za

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What does the ACDP stand for?

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ACDP questions involvement of MP's investigated by Scorpions

ATTENTION NEWS EDITOR **IMPORTANT **
MEDIA RELEASE BY MR STEVE SWART, MP,
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
22nd May 2008

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SCORPIONS HEARINGS – ACDP questions involvement of MP's investigated by Scorpions;
commends input by National Prosecuting Authority.

Following the first day of public hearings into the future of the Scorpions, ACDP MP and spokesperson on justice matters, Steve Swart, is questioning the involvement of MP's investigated by Scorpions and commends input by National Prosecuting Authority:

"The ACDP raised various issues during the first day of public hearings into the future of the Scorpions. We are awaiting a ruling from the joint chairpersons as to whether Members of Parliament who have been or are being investigated by the Scorpions should sit on the Committees dealing with the very future of the unit investigating them. In our view there is a clear conflict of interest and such members should be excused from the Committees.

We also raised our concerns that the bills under consideration exclude prosecutors from the new Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation within the SAPS. The principle of constant prosecutorial oversight in investigations formed the cornerstone of the success of the Scorpions. This crucial aspect will be lost if the bills in their present form are accepted, and flies in the face of the State President's commitment earlier this year that the "continued involvement of the prosecuting authority will ensure that the operations of the [new]specialised unit are both prosecution and intelligence driven".

The most compelling submission was by the National Prosecuting Authority which, whilst committing itself to ensure that government policy is implemented as successfully as possible, stated unambiguously that the bills "fail to set out in a coherent fashion a legal rationale, legislative aim, reasonable objectives, and sufficiently underlying reasoning and explanations for their foundation."

This view supports the ACDP's submission, to be presented on Thursday that the Bills are inconsistent with the principle of legality in that they do not have a rationale connection to a legitimate government purpose, especially considering the high success rate of the Scorpions, are thus unconstitutional and liable to be set aside.

It is outrageous that the Scorpions are being disbanded, in our view to protect senior ANC members from investigation, particularly considering the escalating and highly complex nature of organised crime. We, as parliamentarians, must be mindful of the Khampepe Commission of Inquiry that concluded "it is inconceivable that the Legislature will see fit to repeal the provisions of the NPA Act that relate to the activities and location of the DSO."

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For more information, contact

Steve Swart MP,
083 285 6290
Released by Libby Norton,
ACDP Media Attaché,
Tel - 07 25 70 6361
lnorton@parliament.gov.za

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ACDP says the MKMVA warlike threats are highly irresponsible

MEDIA RELEASE
Rev Kenneth Meshoe, M.P. and President of the ACDP
African Christian Democratic Party.
5th August 2008

ACDP says the MKMVA warlike threats are highly irresponsible, dangerous and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

*Calls on Human Rights Commission to investigate these statements concerning Jacob Zuma that threaten South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
*Calls on ANC leadership to remember their commitment to rule of law and prevail upon their members to allow due process.

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Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP and President of the ACDP, today said the latest threats demanding ANC President Jacob Zuma’s charges be dropped together with the threats by ANC members are highly irresponsible, dangerous and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

"The warlike statements of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veteran's Associations (MKMVA) and some elements in the ANC regarding Mr Zuma, are clearly intended to intimidate the judiciary in order to get his case withdrawn. These threats are regrettable and totally unacceptable as they cause fear and alarm to the general public, to foreign investors as well as the international organizers and potential supporters of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Statements that have been credited to Deputy National Secretary of Umkhonto we Sizwe, Ramatuku Maphutha, such as “No Zuma, no country”, are highly irresponsible, dangerous and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. If quoted correctly, Mr Maphutha must explain to the nation what he meant by “soldiers would be in the trenches awaiting order and would be ready to challenge the system if called to do so.”

The ACDP calls upon the Human Rights Commission to investigate these statements as they threaten our constitutional democracy implying that no other political leader within the ANC, let alone a leader outside of the ANC, will be acceptable to them.

The ANC has always spoken about their commitment to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary that are entrenched in our constitution. We therefore appeal to the ANC leadership to prevail upon their members to allow the due process of law to take its course and the courts to function in a climate free of fear and political pressure. Constitutionally, no person or organ of state may interfere with functioning of the courts. We therefore expect the ANC to remind their members of this commitment and to ensure that their members do not label some court decisions as “arrogant” just because they do not agree with them.

The ACDP calls for peace and sanity to reign."

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For more information, contact
Rev Kenneth Meshoe, M.P. and President of the ACDP,
082 962 5884

Or

Ms Libby Norton
ACDP Press Attaché,
Parliament.
07 25 70 636l
lnorton@parliament.gov.za

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ACDP launches new weekly TV program

The ACDP will be launching its brand new weekly Television program called Salt and Light on this Saturday, 2ND August 2008 at 8:00pm on the Thy Kingdom Come Channel (TKC TV).

Thy Kingdom Come Channel is available on DSTV and should you not have Thy kingdom Come (TKC TV) tuned in on your decoder please find settings included below for TKC and other Christian stations. Please forward this notice to your database, churches, local community organisations and as many of your friends and family as possible.
Please contact our national office for more details.

Yours in Christ
Wesley Douglas
ACDP National Marketing and Media Person

HOW DO YOU TUNE IN TO TKC AND OTHER CHRISTIAN STATIONS?

G11 - Decoder (Tuning Instructions)

1.) Clear All Transponder Settings…
- Press the "Menu" button on the remote and select "Transponder Settings"…
- Select "Del Transponder " from the menu and remove all transponder settings from the list.

2.) Setup New Transponder Settings…
- Press the "Menu" button on the remote and select "Transponder Settings"…
- Select "Add Transponder" from the menu and enter the following settings respectively.
Channel(s) Description Local Freq. Frequency Symbol Rate Polarity 22kHz Tone
The Spirit Word Channel (Ps 91), Hope , TCT, CTV 00000 02026 26406 V ON
DayStar, LoveWorld, 3ABN, Emmanual TV, Judah , 00000 01986 26406 H ON
TKC, Divine, Manna, iNsight
God TV 00000 00977 26375 V ON
Mana

Additional…
Health Channel 00000 01331 14718 H OFF
Botswana TV 00000 01876 14834 V OFF
iA Virtual 1 10600 11900 29687 V OFF
Learning Channel (SEN3) 10600 12020 26375 V OFF

3.) Sort Channel List & Remove Unwanted Channels…
- Press the "Menu" button on the remote and select "Program List"…
- Move channels to the following order and delete other blocked channels…
1. Ps 91 (The Spirit Word Channel)
2. God TV
3. DayStar
4. TCT
5. Love World
6. Hope
7. 3ABN
8. Judah
9. Emmanual TV
10. TKC
11. Divine
12. CTV
13. Mana
14. Manna Africa
15. iNsight
16. Learning Channel (SEN3)
17. Health Channel
18. Botswana TV
19. iA Virtual 1
20. VwAfr

Tuning instructions for DSTV Decoder

Menu
Advance Options ­
OK
Dish Installation ­
OK
Pin code: 9949
New Window
1. Home Network DSTV Pas 7 (Do not change this network)
2. Network 2 Disabled
3. Network 3 Disabled
4. More Networks
5.
6. Scan all Networks
7. Reset to Factory Defaults

To tune to Spirit Word Channel
Go to Network 2
­Press OK button ­
Change disable to Pas7 with right arrow
Press OK
New window
Do not alter any settings from point 1 to point 5. These are the LNB settings.
6. Frequency ­
Press Ok ­
Change to 11170
Press OK
7. Symbol Rate
­Press OK
Change to 26652 – Press OK
8. FEC
Press OK ­
Change to 5/6 ­
Press OK
9. Polarization ­
Press OK – Change to Vertical ­
Press OK
10. Use NIT must be set to Yes
11. ACCEPT ALL DISPLAYED VALUES AND LEAVE SCREEN .
After accepting settings (point 11 above) the program will jump back to the preview screen.
Go down to point number 6 (SCAN ALL NETWORKS) Press OK and wait for rescanning of stations.

For additional Christian Channels (The Spirit Word Channel is not on this network)

Network 3 OK – Change disable to Pas 7 – OK
New window
1 to 5 – LNB SETTINGS DO NOT CHANGE
6. Frequency 12682
7. Symbol Rate 26657
8. FEC ½
9. Pol. – Horizontal
10. Use NIT – Yes
11. Accept – OK
Please note that you will only pick up Spirit Word Channel once the setting of Network 2 has been entered.
Press TV button. Go to Pas7\\1O
Press OK and search for Spirit Word
Channel +­ on channel no. 28
Point No. 6 Scan all networks.

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Do not recognize Mugabe presidency says ACDP

ATTENTION NEWS EDITOR
MEDIA RELEASE
ACDP Parliament
Cheryllyn Dudley, MP and Whip
30th June 2008

Do not recognize Mugabe presidency says ACDP.

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The ACDP has appealed to the African Union and the international community not to recognize Mugabe’s presidency. ACDP MP & Whip, Cheryllyn Dudley:

"The ACDP is shocked and angry that a UN Security Council statement has been watered down after South Africa’s objections. The whole world recognises that the results of the Zimbabwe run-off and indeed the election preceding it, was neither free nor fair. The elections should have been soundly rejected, but the United Nations failed to call them illegitimate because of our South African objections. We are ashamed.

We are disturbed at reports of Robert Mugabe having said he is going to the African Union summit "to see whose finger there is clean." We appeal to African leaders not to buckle to Robert Mugabe’s intimidation.

Before them is the opportunity to show Robert Mugabe that his terrorism against his own people is unacceptable in the new Africa by refusing to recognize his presidency. The ACDP sees this moment as one that could tip the scales in Zimbabwe in favour of democracy and be a moment to redeem ourselves in the light of the world and the people of the continent.

The ACDP is concerned about President Thabo Mbeki’s take over of chairmanship of SADC in August. His bias and discrimination against the people of Zimbabwe in order to cover and condone Mugabe’s brutal terror tactics has been despicable. We urge African leaders to stand up as statesmen and reject Mugabe’s illegitimate status as Zimbabwe’s president."

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NPA Amendment Bill and SAPS Amendment Bill

DEBATE READING
BY MR STEVE SWART, MP,
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
20th June, 2008

DEBATE STATEMENT: NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY AMENDMENT BILL AND SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL.
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ACDP MP, Steve Swart, has said in the House of Assembly during the NPA and SAPS Amendment Bills debates:

"The issue of the future of the Scorpions is about crime and accountability. It is about crime inasmuch as it has to do with the right of all South Africans to go about their lives in the secure knowledge that the law-enforcement agencies will take reasonable measures to protect them from the scourge of crime. It is about accountability inasmuch as it has to do with the fiduciary obligation of the state to act in the best interest of all its citizens.

The ACDP believes that government has breached this obligation by reversing its decision on the Khampepe Commission Report to further the narrow interests of the ruling party. By doing so, we believe that government has sacrificed the well being of all South Africans on the altar of political expediency.

The Executive and Parliament have constitutional constraints – the rule of law is a foundational value of the constitution – all law that is inconsistent with the principle of legality is liable to be set aside. It is a component of the principle of legality that government conduct must not be arbitrary. In other words, all government conduct must be rationally connected to a legitimate government purpose, failing which it will be arbitrary and hence unconstitutional.

It was common cause amongst all the parties in the Glenister application, including the government, that the Scorpions have been extremely successful in the fight against crime. Indeed I don't think anyone can dispute that fact. The ANC's decision to disband the Scorpions was not motivated that the Scorpions have been unsuccessful, but was rather motivated by the fact that the Scorpions have been too successful, particularly in its investigations of high profile ANC members.

Indeed ANC sec Gen Mr Gwede Mantashe admitted this much by stating that the ANC wanted the Scorpions disbanded because the unit is prosecuting its leaders.

Can we allow the interests of the ruling party to be put above the interests of all South Africans?

Whilst the matter is likely to end up in the Constitutional Court, our concern is that the Scorpions are bleeding to death at the moment.

We cannot afford to lose the expertise built up over years and at great cost to the taxpayer.

Whilst we will now proceed with public hearings, the uncertainty following the Polokwane conference as well the tabling of the amending legislation is resulting in the destruction of the unit.

56 members of the Scorpions have already left since April last year, with a further 47 indicating that they had applied for positions elsewhere. There can be no doubt that the unit is being decimated. They have been specifically trained at combating organised crime and we cannot afford to lose more of these highly-skilled members.

The acting head of the NPA, Adv Mpshe, has warned that the collapse of just a few Scorpions' cases could bring the South Africa's criminal justice system "into disrepute" and that "the reckless disbanding of the Scorpions could devastate the whole criminal justice system".

We must respond to this as a matter of urgency and cannot wait until the legislation is finalised or the Constitutional Court has ruled on the matter. By that time there will be no one left in the unit.

I appeal to the members of the ruling party –- let's urgently talk about the issue of relocating the Scorpions – let's consider real concern such as the following:

Does the SAPS have the capacity to accommodate the Scorpions?

By what stretch of the imagination would the SAPS be able to retain and attract other accountants and lawyers required for this unit? Surely it is very obvious that SAPS trade unions would not allow police officials to be paid the type of salaries necessary to attract such professionals?

How can the principle of constant prosecutorial oversight in investigations that is the cornerstone of the success of the Scorpions be maintained if the Scorpions are incorporated into the SAPS?

Even ANC MP Booi, as late as 18 March ANC MP stated that "the DSO has been able to build a capacity that the police have not been able to build in this regard." He goes on to say that "detectives do not have the kind of capacity to do that, but the Scorpions have that particular capacity."

The Khampepe Report categorically states that "the rationale for the establishment of the DSO is as valid today as it was at conception" and that "the DSO should continue to be located within the NPA".

Its conclusion could not be expressed in more forthright terms that "it is inconceivable that the Legislature will see fit to repeal the provisions of the NPA Act that relate to the activities and location of the DSO."

Surely this was the very reason for the creation of the Scorpions – and other units outside the SAPS – such as the Priority Crimes Litigation Unit (PCLU), the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU), the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit, the Witness Protection Unit (WPU). Remember we also set up the Financial Intelligence Centre, outside of the SAPS, to deal with the financing of organised crime and terrorist activities.

As the NPA's annual report indicates "the DSO's unique composition enables it to focus its resources and tackle complex crimes under one command…The DSO is an institution of paramount importance in South Africa's effort to disrupt trans-national and high-level organised crime. It should be nurtured, supported and celebrated."

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Mr Steve Swart, ACDP MP

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Standing for Life against Death

Yesterday was Life Chain day in Centurion. Life chains are held every year close to Life Sunday here in South Africa, which is the closest Sunday to 1 February. However, here in Tshwane it usually is held a little later.

Of course, the question on your lips is, "What is a Life Chain?" A Life Chain is an event in which Pro-Life people come together to protest peacefully against the wanton slaughter of South Africa's unborn children. It is usually known under the euphemism of abortion. Abortion simply is not a strong enough word to describe what it really is: MURDER! So, in a Life Chain, we get together to protest this legal murder, by standing in places that are busy, where people can see us holding posters with slogans such as "Abortion Kills Babies," "Abortion God Calls it Murder" and "Adoption Better Than Abortion." Some posters also contain pictures of aborted babies.

Something like abortion is not just another issue among many equal issues. There are issues and there are issues. There is a great divide between social issues and moral issues. When we look at issues, moral issues should and MUST take priority. That is why abortion and homosexual marriages, moral issues, have higher priority than social and monetary issues like, say, tax!

The Tshwane LIFECHAIN was organised by Christians for Truth (CFT). The local leadership for CFT that were there are Gregory Pereira and Dieter Claasen. This is an annual event that CFT organises here in Tshwane. This was the third LIFECHAIN that I attended.

When one considers the fact that 50000-60000 babies are aborted each year in South Africa, one wonders why more people are not involved in fighting this horribly evil occurrence in society.

One of the first quips when confronted with the abortion issue, is that it is a "political issue!" Of course it is a political issue, and that is how liberals would like to keep it. However, apart from being a political issue, it is, and always has been, a moral issue.

Many people would not think twice about fighting against crime, especially our high murder rate. Yet, these same people have never considered that abortion murders more than double the amount of babies annually than the number of murders in this country!

Have we in this country become so callous that we could refer to the murder of an innocent baby as "choice?" White bread or brown? 93 octane or 95 octane? Steak or chicken? We have devalued life in this country so much that we can slaughter these children without even a thought. Why would abortion be called a choice when the one being murdered does not get to choose?

However, it pleases me that the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) stands squarely against abortion. It also pleases me that we could get some ACDP members to support this LIFECHAIN. Three of our Tshwane branch chairmen were there. They are Frikkie Olivier (Moreleta/Elarduspark branch), his wife Lenette and their children, Thinus Oosthuizen (Wierdapark) and Jack Mahlangu (Pretoria CBD).

I also had my family involved. Last year only my son could be there, but this year my wife, son and daughter could participate and also my wife's sister and her two daughters.


I believe that our children should be exposed to the evils of our current justice system and its accompanying laws, so that they could know the difference between evil and true justice for all! My children should understand the horror of abortion. They should understand that abortion is murder, and it is evil, no matter what the country's laws say on the issue.

If we as the people remain quiet about evils such as abortion, we become the silent partners of those evils. Silence is as good as agreement. Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing." If we do nothing, evil WILL triumph!

It is very necessary that we in the capital city take that charge of silence, and reverse its hopeless trend.

I once saw a cartoon drawing in which the main character asks God why he has not sent us anyone to bring us a cure to cancer and other diseases. God's reply was, "I did! But you aborted them!"


Let us be like the group in the picture above. Stand up for what is right in God's eyes, not what is right in man's eyes. These people above were those that stood up for those babies that could not stand up for themselves!

Decide today! Stand up for the unborn!

Update - 12 March 2008: To see a gallery of pictures from this LIFECHAIN, visit our website here and click on "LIFECHAIN March 2008 Pictures" on the right.

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ACDP responds to government discouragement of private electricity generators

MEDIA RELEASE
ACDP Parliament

Cheryllyn Dudley, MP and Parliamentary Whip
7th March, 2008

ACDP shocked that government chose to have no electricity rather than be unable to claim it provides the cheapest electricity. ACDP queries how the nuclear solution and the billions being spent will cost the consuming public less.

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In answer to a question in Parliament by ACDP MP, Cheryllyn Dudley, about government discouragement of private electricity generators, President Mbeki has made it clear the reason his government discouraged private generators is because it would cause a rise in the cost of power and his government is proud of offering the cheapest electricity.

Cheryllyn Dudley, ACDP MP responds:
“South Africa now has electricity blackouts at least in part because alternative electricity generating companies have been kept out of the market. Foreign generating companies, for example, were told that they could erect generating plants in this country but that government officials would fix the price at which they could sell their electricity and decide to whom it could be sold. Not surprisingly they declined.

South Africa, now, in fact, has BOTH increased costs and blackouts.

Since government says it has the wellbeing of the poor at heart, the ACDP finds it strange that government did not consider electricity subsidies for the poor instead of discouraging the instantly accessible private electricity generators. How could it be in South Africa’s best interests to put the country into darkness, put the brakes on major construction plans and employment and thus further jeopardise the wellbeing of the poor!?

The ACDP asked the President what other avenues of alternative power have been discouraged as promising environmentally-friendly options seem to have been sidelined. Whilst the President accepted collective responsibility for the energy crisis and apologised, the ACDP wants to know whether the situation arose as part of a strategy to create a receptive atmosphere for nuclear solutions. Nuclear solutions have been speedily imposed without public debate or proper procedure as set out in the green paper. The ACDP is particularly concerned regarding disposal of toxic waste.

ACDP asks in light of the billions it will cost for nuclear power, does President Mbeki still intend keeping the price low? Or will it be just fine for the consuming public to foot the bill if the bill is for a nuclear solution?

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STUDENT RAMPAGE

STUDENT RAMPAGE

MEDIA RELEASE - MEDIA VERKLARING 26 Feb 2008 (Afrikaans hier onder)


TEACH PUPILS HOW TO MANAGE THEIR ANGER AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The ACDP is calling on parents and institutions of higher learning, such as the high school in Mamelodi and TUT, to educate their students on the proper civil methods of airing grievances.

We specifically refer to the recent unrest at TUT where chaos reigned because of increased tuition fees, and also to yesterday's unrest in Mamelodi where car tyres were burnt and damage to businesses by the pupils, amounted to R40 000. This also includes the fact that police were stoned when scholars wanted to report a rape.

Educators can start by teaching students how to put their grievances in writing in a proper manner. Even though we do sympathise with the frustrations of students, violence nor vandalism can ever be applauded. Further, students must learn that they will be held accountable for the damage they cause.

In conjunction with this, students can also be taught how to convey their grievances to the media without the added violence.

In the end, they must become leaders with the accompanied responsibility.

We invite students with grievances and the management of educational institutions to approach the ACDP to help with negotiations in the background.
The ACDP has the necessary skills and is determined not to use this for its own political gain.

AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LEER STUDENTE HOE OM GRIEWE TE HANTEER EN AANSPREEKLIKHEID VIR DADE

Die ACDP doen ‘n beroep op ouers en hoër onderwysinstansies, soos die hoërskool in Mamelodi en die TUT om hul studente op te voed oor hoe om hul griewe op ‘n beskaafde manier te lug.

Ons verwys hier na die onlangse onluste by TUT waar amok gemaak is oor verhoogde klasgelde, en die oproer en bande brandery in Mamelodi, asook die onder die klippe steek van die polisie toe skoliere ‘n verkragting wou aanmeld. Besighede in die omgewing het skake gelei van ongeveer R40 000 tydens die geweld.

Onder die stappe waarmee opvoeders kan hand bysit is om studente te kleer om hul griewe behoorlik op skrif te stel. Hoewel ‘n mens soms simpatie het met studente se frustrasies, kan geen geweld goedgepraat word nie, en vandalisme net so min. Studente moet ook leer dat hulle aanspreeklik is vir die skade wat hulle aangerig het.
Studente kan ook geleer word oor hoe om hul boodskap doeltreffend en sonder geweld aan die media oor te dra.
Uiteindelik moet hulle leiers met verantwoordelikhede word.

Ons nooi gegriefde studente en die opvoedkundige instellings se bestuur ook uit om die ACDP te nader om agter die skerms te help bemiddel. Die ACDP het die kundigheid en onderneem om nie politieke munt hieruit te probeer slaan nie.

AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Raadslid Tshwane Metro

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ACDP not surprised by murder statistics / ACDP nie verbaas oor Pretoria se moordsyfers

ACDP nie verbaas oor Pretoria se moordsyfers MEDIA VERKLARING 10 Feb 2008

ACDP not surprised by murder statistics
The shocking murder statistics for Pretoria revealed today in Rapport comes as no surprise to the ACDP, says Ms. AnneMarie Sparg, ACDP councillor and media spokesperson.

“We, as well as other opposition parties, had been fighting – yes, unfortunately there is no better word to describe this – in council for the right of communities to protect themselves through access control. The same murder data had been quoted in council on numerous occasions. I myself had been trapped in crossfire once. The opposition is, however, slammed by members of the ANC during debates on access control, in the City Planning Committee.

“In some way or another, the ANC under the leadership of the Mayor, regards the freedom of movement of vagabonds as a higher order right than the right to life of law abiding citizens. We trust that the statistics quoted in Rapport today will shock the Human Rights Commission into action to have a keen look at the ANC’s abuse of power at the expense of the constitutional right to safety.

“The ACDP, at different levels, has repeatedly called on government to declare a state of emergency against crime. Also former Minister Pik Botha has done so.”

AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP COUNCILLOR TSHWANE METRO
079 498 6971

ACDP nie verbaas oor Pretoria se moordsyfers
Die skokkende moordsyfers wat Rapport vir dele van Pretoria vandag onthul, kom as geen verrassing vir die ACDP nie, aldus me. AnneMarie Sparg, ACDP-raadslid en mediawoordvoerder.

“Ons en van die ander opposisiepartye baklei – daar is ongelukkig nie ‘n meer beskaafde woord hiervoor nie – in die raad vir die regte van gemeenskappe om hulself met beheerde toegang te beveilig. Dieselfde moordsyfers is al by herhaling in die raad geopper. Ek self is by geleentheid in spervuur vasgevang. Die opposisie word egter vanuit die ANC-geledere verguis, met heel onwaardige verbale aanvalle.

“Op die een of ander wyse plaas die ANC, onder die leierskap van die burgemeesteres, rondlopers se reg op bewegingsvryheid bo wetsgehoorsame burgers se reg op lewe, en die syfers vandag in Rapport behoort die Menseregtekommissie te beweeg om ernstig na die ANC se magsmisbruik ten koste van burgers se grondwetlike reg op veiligheid te kyk.

“Die ACDP het al by herhaling op verskillende vlakke versoek dat ‘n noodtoestand teen misdaad afgekondig word – ‘n versoek wat ook deur oud-minister Pik Botha gerig is.”

AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP RAADSLID TSHWANE METRO
079 498 6971

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MUNICIPAL SERVICES ARREARS - SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR COUNCILLORS & MAYOR

MEDIA RELEASE 28 Jan 2008
MUNICIPAL SERVICES ARREARS - SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR COUNCILLORS & MAYOR RAMAKGOPA

During the 24 January Council meeting in the Tshwane Metro, it came to light that several ANC and DA councilors including the Mayor Dr Ramokgopa were owing the CTMM for their municipal services, according to the Auditor General’s report for the book year, ending 30 June 2007.

Some of the amounts outstanding were as high as R57 000 per individual.

How do the Metro Police justify barging in at the office of Cornwall Hill Country Estate with fire arms and tear-gas , to switch off water because of an arrears account that was in dispute at the time?

On Friday 16 November 2007, the Metro Police, accompanied by Dayalyn Pillay of the Tshwane Metro, barged into the offices of Cornwall Hill Country Estate, in an exercise to unconstitutionally disconnect Cornwall Hill Country Estate’s water supply.

At the time, Diep in die Berg, Cornwall Hill and other security comPlexes were in arrears and in a dispute with the Tshwane Metro Council over their municipal services bills.

Despite the fact they were in dispute the Tshwane Metro came in an entourage of Metro Police with sirens and blue lights flashing, to have their services terminated. Why such a DISPLAY of POWER?

The ACDP finds that dual standards are being applied by the Tshwane Metro when it comes to debt collection.

Leaders need to set an example - what is good for the goose is good for the gander!

How can the Tshwane Metro clamp down on the ordinary citizen and not on councilors who are in arrears.

The ACDP challenges the Tshwane Metro to treat all rate payers the same in applying the debt collection policy.

Annie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro

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ACDP response to Student unrest

ACDP response to Student unrest - MEDIA RELEASE 20 Feb 2008

Students protest at TUT campus - ACDP response to Student unrest

"The time has come for unrest and protests to cease from being part of student life on our campuses." So said Cllr. AnneMarie Sparg, from the ACDP, in response to the newest student protests on the TUT campus.

"Even though we have sympathy for the situation of these students, especially those that are poor, who suffer under the financial demands from our universities and other institutions of higher learning," she added, "anarchy and violence remain unacceptable as a means to manipulate authority into compliance.

"We call on these students to follow proper procedure to raise their complaints, if their memorandum does not have the desired effects at the cut off time tomorrow. According to reports, a door had already been broken, even before the protest became violent. This type of 'break through' certainly does not seem peaceful.

"It is time for the leaders of this protest to show that they truly are leaders, and to bring calm and order among the protesters!"

AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro

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Studente betoging by TUT kampus - ACDP reageer

"Dit is nou hoog tyd dat onluste en onrus nie meer deel van die studentelewe sal wees nie," sê ACDP raadslid me. AnneMarie Sparg in reaksie op die jongste studenteprotes op die TUT-kampus.

"Al het ons dikwels simpatie met veral die arm studente wat noustrop trek onder die las van geldelike verpligtinge by universiteite en ander hoër onderwysinrgtings, bly wanordelikheid en geweld nie 'n aanvaarbare wyse van optrede nie.

"Ons versoek die studente dus om hul klagtes deur die regte kanale te voer as hul memorandum môre, met die spertyd, nie die gewenste reaksie oplewer nie. Daar is na berig reeds 'n deur gebreek nog voordat die protes nog gewelddadig geword het. Hierdie soort 'deurbraak' klink nie vir ons baie vreed saam nie.

"Dit is tyd dat die leiers van die protes bewys dat hulle wel leiers is, en vrede en kalmte bring tussen die protesteerders!"

AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Raadslid Tshwane Metro

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ACDP CONCERNED OVER DISRUPTION TO POLICE SERVICE BY SIT-IN

ACDP CONCERNED OVER DISRUPTION TO POLICE SERVICE BY SIT-IN
MEDIA RELEASE 7 February 2008

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ACDP CONCERNED OVER DISRUPTION TO POLICE SERVICE BY SIT-IN

ACDP Councillor for Tshwane Metro, Ms Anne Marie Sparg says the ACDP is concerned at a recent sit-in staged at the Lyttleton Police station.

"The ACDP is alarmed to hear of the recent sit-in staged by members of POPCRU, the police and prisons civil rights union.

The ACDP is concerned about effective policing during such actions, and ongoing morale among staff as allegations were made casting aspersions upon the dignity of the commander and senior staff.

The ACDP has been made aware that there seems to be a situation at the Lyttleton Police station which could be creating a problem with much needed policing in the community.

According to Mr Kai Weinzheimer, a business man and director of Abvikeli Security, a company who’s services are being used by many residential complexes and industrial sites, there appears to be an issue with discipline at the station.

It is understood that some of the members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) are unhappy with the level of discipline under Director Wiese.

It appears Superintendent Palahd and other officers at the station object to Director Wiese’s style which has resulted in his his discipline being objected to on account of it.

The ACDP understands Director Wiese has been doing a sterling job and the Centurion community has expressed gratitude for the assistance and dedicated service they have been receiving from the SAPS under the leadership of Director Wiese.

Police officers who do not tow the line and fail the community need to be accountable. In fact, in terms of the constitution, members of the services acting in a disruptive manner and in so doing endangering the lives of the people they should be serving could be regarded as having committed mutiny.

The question is - how did the station manage to deal with people needing the services of the SAPS during the disruptive actions of POPCRU?

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For further information:

Anne Marie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro

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SANDF time to assist in fighting crime in Pretoria - ACDP

SANDF time to assist in fighting crime - ACDP MEDIA RELEASE 1 FEB 2008

MEDIA RELEASE / MEDIA VERKLARING

SANDF time to assist in fighting crime - ACDP

“It is totally unacceptable that criminals are granted so much space from where they can launch their raids on Monument Park residents and even the police without additional assistance to eradicate the gangsters’ paradise.

“It is ridiculous that criminals, of whom many are illegal immigrants, could have erected such no go areas where they can tend to their matters undisturbed, but at the expense of law abiding citizens,” says Ms. AnneMarie Sparg, ACDP Tshwane councillor.

She reacted to complaints, including written complaints, to the reign of terror orchestrated from the squatter settlement in the former Rosana and Klawer quarries in Monument Park.

“The problems have been handled by the relevant bodies such as the ward committee, SAPS and the Police Forum, but to no avail.

On the behalf of the community, the ACDP calls on the Metro police and SANDF to urgently launch a “joint operation” with the SAPS to CLEAN this area as soon as possible. This task is of such a magnitude that it cannot be tasked by one of the above law enforcing units on its own.
It is about the time that the SANDF assist the SAPS and residents in this raging war.

“With safe havens for criminals such as this it is no wonder that diplomats are attacked and that the President’s residence needed to be equipped with a security wall of millions of rands.”

AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro
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Tyd dat weermag help met dié misdaad - ACDP

“Dit is onaanvaarbaar dat misdadigers ruimte gegun word vanwaar hulle hul strooptogte op Monumentpark en selfs die polisie kan loods.

“Dit is verregaande dat misdadigers, waaronder talle onwettige immigrante, nou sulke “no go”-areas kan skep waar hulle ongestoord, en ten koste van wetsgehoorsames, hul lewens kan lei,” sê me. Annemarie Sparg, raadslid van die ACDP in die Tshwane-raad.

Sy het gereageer op klagtes, waaronder skriftelike klagtes, oor die terreur waaraan inwoners van Monumentpark en omgewing blootgestel word vanuit die plakkerskamp in die voormalige Rosama en Klawer-gruisgrooef.

“Die probleem is al deur al die toepaslike liggame soos die wykskomitee, polisiëringsforum en SAPD opgeneem, maar steeds word die wetsgehoorsames onuithoudbaar geterroriseer.

Die ACDP doen 'n beroep op die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag om 'n gesamentlike operasie met die SAPD en Metropolisie te loods om die area skoon te maak van misdadigers.

Die taak is van so 'n aard dat dit nie net deur die bogenoemde liggame alleen gehanteer kan word nie.

Dit is hoog tyd dat die weermag ingryp en help om die probleem op te los aangesien die SAPD en die inwoners nou met ‘n duidelike oormag te make het.

“Met hierdie tipe situasie is dit geen wonder dat diplomate gereeld aangeval, en die president ‘n veiligheidsmuur van miljoene rande moet oprig nie.”

AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Raadslid Tshwane Metro

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KZN watchdog to remain

We live in a country with corruption at every level of society. We have seen such corruption at almost every level of government.

The situation has now arisen in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN), where the ruling party wants to get rid of the current chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, ACDP provincial leader, Jo-Ann Downs.

As the Tshwane region of the ACDP, we support Jo-Ann Downs wholeheartedly in her quest to drive out corruption in Kwazulu-Natal, or anywhere else she may find corruption.

Of course, the ANC (ruling party in Kwazulu-Natal) claims that Jo-Ann Downs "has turned the agriculture department saga into her personal project, feeding it to the media to enhance her political career."

However, a day after the above claims were reported on, the "KwaZulu-Natal agriculture and environmental affairs department limped to its latest crisis on Thursday [2008-02-21] when its head, Modidima Mannya, was suspended by premier S'bu Ndebele."

Further, some ANC sources have said that they were unhappy of the way Downs ran the committee and that she was "too critical" of the ANC.

My contention is that this is the real reason they want to sack her from the chairmanship. The ANC has proven to this nation and its people that they do not respond well when confronted with criticism and/or investigations of alleged corruption of its top officials. We have seen that all too clearly in the NPA-Pikoli-Scorpions saga. It seems to me that they would rather get rid of whistle blowers than corruption.

To get rid of Jo-Ann Downs will simply exarcerbate the problems in KZN. What use would it be to put a 'yes'-man in charge of the committee? 'Yes'-men get nothing done! In fact, they are the ones that eventually stab you in the back. That is what happened to Julius Caesar when Marcus Junius Brutus assassinated him. Brutus used to be one of Julius Caesar's 'yes'-men who later turned against Caesar.

'Yes'-men do not have the courage to be real leaders and cannot think for themselves. Is this what the ANC wants? I hope not.

If the ANC ruling authority in KZN is really serious about ridding the province of corruption, they will need to let Jo-Ann Downs do her job.

The ACDP will always fight corruption wherever it is found. Apart from such corruption being so obviously morally wrong, it is also socially wrong. It harms the nation at a large scale. When the government allows corruption to continue within its own walls, it grants the nation the right to do the same. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. This will prove to be disastrous for any nation, when a culture of corruption becomes the overarching culture.

The lowest form of human life is when a people appointed leader steals from the people, or works corruptly with the people's money. A democratic government must always remember, that it is not the government per se. It is only the government insomuch as the people have given them governmental representation for the people. As the famed 16th president of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, said in his famous Gettysburg Address, the government is "of the people, by the people, for the people." The government has no right to allow anyone to mismanage or steal the people's money.

When a leader abuses the trust of the people, he no longer deserves to be a leader of the people, and should be removed from leadership. To lead a nation is not just an arbitrary job or aspiration! It is a sacred duty!

So, my call to the leaders of this nation is to mean it when they speak against corruption, and that they will ensure that the best people are fighting against it.

Update @ 15:15:
The ANC has axed Jo-Ann Downs and instead gave the chairmanship to National Democratic Convention’s (Nadeco’s) Hawu Mbatha. As I have felt all along, so some opposition members of the legislature feel that this move by the ANC is to "cover up corruption in agriculture."

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MEDIA RELEASE - No Constitutional Requirement for Scorpions' Disbandment

MR STEVE SWART, MP,
ACDP - AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY 14th February 2008

ACDP TABLES PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION DEMANDING ANSWERS ON SCORPIONS * SAYS NO CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR DISBANDMENT.
ACDP looks forward to Scorpions Annual Report in Parliament.
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ACDP, MP and Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional matters, Steve Swart, this morning formally tabled a Parliamentary question to be answered by the Minister of Safety and Security on Wednesday 27th February 2008, requesting the constitutional basis that the Minister relies upon for justifying the decision to disband the Scorpions.

“The Minister has argued that the reason why Cabinet decided to disband the Scorpions and incorporate it into the SAPS was that the Constitution required that there must be “a single police force”. This argument was rejected by the Constitutional Court in 2002 as well as the Khampepe Commission (relying on that Constitutional Court judgment), the report of which was accepted by Cabinet in June 2006.

It is patently clear that the decision to disband the Scorpions is not based on any constitutional requirement, but rather on a political decision to rid South Africa of a very effective crime-fighting unit that has embarrassed the ruling party by investigating and convicting high profile leaders.

The Minister’s most recent explanation that the merging of the Scorpions into a new unit in the SAPS in order to “change for the better” the fight against organized crime, is outrageous given that their present success rate is over 80%. Furthermore, how would the investigation into National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi have been conducted had it not been that the Scorpions were located outside the police service? This is particularly so, following the heavy-handed arrest and spurious charges brought by the SAPS against Scorpions Gauteng boss, Adv. Gerrie Nel, in an obvious attempt to derail the Selebi investigation.

The Minister must explain whether he persists with the “single police force” constitutional argument and if not, what is the basis for this reckless decision.

The ACDP is determined to hold the Executive to account for this decision, notwithstanding that the majority party has effectively ignored Parliament by announcing the disbanding of the Scorpions as a fait accompli.

The ACDP, together with other parties, will be exercising its oversight function next week when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) presents its annual report on Wednesday 20th February, in the Justice Portfolio Committee. The ACDP, when it raised the matter in the Justice Portfolio Committee yesterday, was given the assurance that the Scorpions would be present, albeit reporting under the NPA.

All indications are that the glowing success of the combination of prosecutor and investigator, which is the Scorpions, will be shown to have continued in the past financial year and this is sure to further highlight the criminal foolishness of the decision.”

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ACDP responds to President's State of the Nation Address

ACDP SPEECH
BY REV KENNETH MESHOE, MP;
PRESIDENT, AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY 13th February 2008

(Greeted with much applause in the House)

REPLY TO THE PRESIDENT’S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS
Speech by ACDP President, Rev. Kenneth Meshoe MP

13 February 2008

Madam Speaker, Honourable President, deputy President and Honourable Members,

The announcement made yesterday by the Minister of Safety and Security that the Scorpions will be dismantled and merged with the police organized crime unit must be rejected with the contempt it deserves. It is scandalous, irresponsible and highly questionable to target a very successful crime busting unit when South Africa’s crime levels are amongst the highest in the world.

The Minister also said that the ANC was not being reckless in disbanding the Scorpions. The truth is, the ANC is reckless and I believe this decision is a serious blunder that will come back to haunt them in the near future.

I want to remind members of this house that the Scorpions were constituted following a careful study of policing systems in other countries. This was made clear by the then Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Justice and Constitutional Development, honourable Fatima Cochan-Kota, during a debate in the National Assembly on the 11th November 1999.

She pointed out that her Committee had undertaken a visit to the United States and Canada to study, among other things, their crime-fighting structures and institutions. She continued to mention the fact that the prosecution-driven investigation was not only successful in the U.S. and Canada, but also in Germany and Britain. In our case, the Scorpions have had between 80% and 90% success in all their prosecutions.

The ACDP wants to know why anybody in their right mind would want to disband such a successful unit, except of course, to serve their questionable motives.

May I also remind this house that the Scorpions was instituted because of the failure of the police to deal with organized crime.

When President Mbeki announced the formation of the Scorpions in June 1999 he said it was a signal of government’s commitment to deal with priority crimes. Today, the ANC has discarded that committee to the delight of leaders of organised crime.

When the then New National party leader raised what he described as serious questions about the establishment of the Scorpions, the then Justice Minister, Penuell Maduna, said that, “the criminal element should be the only ones who worry about the Scorpions.” The honourable President may or may not agree with members of the public who suspect that it is the ‘criminal element’ within the ANC who worry about the successes of the Scorpions that have no regard for political connections!

The Constitutional Law Professor George Devenish said that “the proposed disbanding of the Scorpions must be seen for what it is, an unscrupulous attempt to centralize naked power in the ANC politicians and their cadres deployed in the management echelons of the police.”

Our nation is ravaged by crime, and it is scandalous that the decision to disband the highly effective and successful Scorpions will be forced through parliament, even though the majority of South Africa, many of whom are victims of serious, violent crime, are opposed to it.

Mr President, do you agree with those members of the public, that say that the real motive for disbanding the Scorpions is to protect powerful ANC politicians from investigation? Is it perhaps because the ANC wants to remove the Scorpion investigators and prosecutors from the Jackie Selebi case which is scheduled to be heard in August? Many surmise that without those competent Scorpions prosecutors, the suspended National Commissioner will be acquitted, and this will pave the way for him to be the head of the newly organized unit of the South African Police Service that has many corrupt elements within it.

Madam Speaker, on Monday, the acting head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Adv. Mpshe is reported to have filed an affidavit in which he said, under oath, that not only information, but also evidence of suspended Commissioner Selebi’s wrong doing was presented to President Mbeki and the Justice Minister Bridgette Mabandla. He also said the President himself was kept fully informed of both the fact of the investigation against Mr Selebi and the nature of the allegations against him. He added that besides there being constant communication between advocate Pikoli, President Mbeki and Justice Minister Mabandla, Advocate Pikoli also informed other officials, including Safety and Safety Minister Nqakula and Defence Minister Lekota of the corruption claims against Mr Selebi.

This stands in stark contrast to the claims made by the State President last month that he only became aware of the charges a few days earlier. To compound matters, President Mbeki then told the media, "I have said this before, many times, that if there was anybody with information that shows Selebi has done wrong things, I would act on it. Nobody did, nobody came to me.”

Mr President, the ACDP believes that in the light of the very serious revelations contained in Adv Mpshe’s affidavit, the State President owes the public an explanation, and must tell the truth as to exactly when the President became aware of the serious allegations against Selebi and why he failed to then immediately suspend Selebi. The public is also owed an explanation of how a draft copy of the top-secret letter dated 7th May 2007, from Adv. Pikoli to President Mbeki about Commissioner Selebi, ended up in Selebi’s hands.

The ACDP also therefore renews its call for the disbandment of the Ginwala Commission and the re-instatement of Adv Pikoli, particularly because government was at all times fully informed of the case against Mr Selebi by Adv Pikoli himself.

These are very grave allegations that go to the heart of the President’s integrity. The State President must admit or deny that the main reason for suspending Adv. Pikoli was not because of a breakdown in relationship, but a deliberate attempt to cover-up for Mr Selebi.

Another major weaknesses of this government is in the area of maintenance. Government has spent money in putting up new buildings and roads without a proper maintenance plan and as a result, the existing road infrastructure is deteriorating very fast.

While roads in Cape Town City centre are not in a bad condition, one cannot say the same about other cities including Pretoria, our administrative capital. Most of our roads are badly damaged and have many pot holes that are ignored by relevant councils. One at times wonders what the city managers and local councillors are paid to do?

When you spoke about building the infrastructure, Mr President, did you also have road infrastructure in mind? If yes, why is the maintenance and repairs of our roads not an Apex priority?

In terms of the power crisis, the ACDP believes that some of the reasons we have blackouts is because Eskom has neglected maintenance and failed to plan for emergencies.

It is also highly suspicious that the crisis occurred so soon after the coming-on-stream in Mozambique of the Mozal Smelter, which preceded the significant growth in South African power consumption. Whilst one appreciates that we must honour our contractual obligations with other countries, would it not have been prudent to ensure that there was sufficient energy for our own Gold and Platinum mines before contracting external customers.

Is it that the ‘powers that be’ fail to value maintenance of equipment and regard money spent on it to be unnecessary, hence the retrenchments that followed. That ill-informed decision has cost the country billions of rand today.

This is why the ACDP advises government to make maintenance of infrastructure, equipment and buildings a priority. Lack of maintenance is very expensive in the long term, as we have seen with the power crisis and a possible looming water crisis.

It was reported in the Sunday Times that, and I quote, “Britain is likely to strip South Africa of its visa-free status this year because of rampant corruption in the department of Home Affairs. South Africans would have to fork out £63 (nearly R1,000) and provide fingerprints, facial biometrics and travel documents to get visas.”

We are going to lose this privilege of a visa-free status and be inconvenienced because corrupt Home Affairs officials have been selling genuine passports to people, smugglers, foreign asylum seekers and allegedly suspected terrorists wanting to enter Britain. Because of this criminal activity, British immigration experts say that the South African passport is, and I quote, “no longer worth the paper it’s written on.” This, Mr President is a shame.

Has government lost its fight against corruption in the Home Affairs department, just as it lost the fight against violent crime in this country?”

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

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For more information please contact:
Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP and President of the ACDP: 082 962 5884

Released by Ms. Libby Norton, Parliamentary Media Attaché, ACDP
Tel 021 40 333 07 or 07 25 70 6361

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The following "media release" concerning the South African energy/power crisis was released:

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*ATTENTION NEWS EDITOR*
ACDP MEDIA RELEASE
BY REV KENNETH MESHOE, MP;
PRESIDENT, AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY 29th January 2008
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ACDP says Irwin and Eskom CEOs must resign * Government must end Eskom’s monopoly and subsidise paraffin and gas.
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Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP and President of the ACDP says the top officials responsible for the energy crisis must go.

“The Minister of Public Enterprise, Alec Irwin, must take full responsibility for the current electricity crisis and do the honourable thing by resigning for failing in his duties which includes ensuring that Eskom has sufficient reserves to meet the increased demand for power.

The former Eskom CEO and the encumbent must join the Minister and resign for failing to take the public into their confidence when government did not heed their warnings.

While we are told that government and Eskom are doing all they can to alleviate the power crisis; they must find ways to stimulate economic growth and ensure that the gains made since democracy will not be lost.

Government should not make the poor and vulnerable suffer for their shortsightedness; they must be prepared to subsidise paraffin and gas that is used in the blackouts because they refused to act when they were warned about the looming crisis ten years ago. Eskom bonuses at this time would be scandalous, immoral and insensitive as businesses and individuals are losing millions every day.

The ACDP believes now is the time for government to end Eskom’s monopoly and encourage the private sector to help provide alternative sources of power to alleviate the current crisis. We believe that such competition would bring down the cost of power, and give consumers the choice of where to buy electricity.

The claim by the ANC President to the international community that the power cuts are a result of unintended consequences of economic growth is laughable and a feeble attempt to manipulate truth and hide government’s irresponsibility in this matter.”
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For more information please contact:
Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP and President of the ACDP: 082 962 5884

Released by Ms. Libby Norton, Parliamentary Media Attaché, ACDP Tel 021 40 333 07 or 07 25 70 6361

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Looking forward in 2008!

The old year has gone with all its triumphs and disappointments!

But, now, there is a new year ahead with new challenges, and perhaps new difficulties. Yet, that is how life is. We are presented with many difficulties and many challenges.

Unlike the preaching of many preachers, Jesus never promised us as Christians a rose garden. If He did, He certainly meant to include the many thorns on a rose stem on the way to the rose at the end of that stem.

That is exactly how things are in the political arena. Before any party makes it to the point where it demands a strong hearing with many voters to back it, it has to go past all those pesky thorns before the rose itself is reached.

The ACDP is blamed many times that we are dividing the vote against certain parties that are seen as “behemoths!” Yet, even a behemoth is born as a baby behemoth. Nothing starts fully grown, except of course when God spoke creation into existence! Every other political party has started as a thought in the imagination of some person or persons. Membership for those parties, no matter how gargantuan they are now, started small. After that, they started getting others to join in the cause, and after some or many years, grew to be big.

So, when people point fingers at us as “vote-dividers,” take heart, we all start small and need to remember that there is work to do to make the African Christian Democratic Party grow!

2008 is the year that we need to work hard to gain more members and supporters. The next general elections are in 2009 (GE2009), and if we want to make a difference in the political arena, we are going to have to work hard this year to effect that difference.

That difference will not simply come around like a magical Santa Clause dropping votes through our proverbial chimneys. Getting votes, and membership in the party for that matter, are not some magical process. Someone has to make the effort to renew the membership of existing members and also to gain new members.

As Christians in South Africa, we are simply too accommodating to the evils of our society. While certain parties continue perpetrating all kinds of evil in the name of freedom, doing so by enacting those same evils as law in parliament, there are Christians who continue to vote and support those parties.

As Christians in the ACDP, we need to start speaking out against those evils and to bring those evils to light. This should not be left to the leadership in the ACDP. This is something that each ACDP member should be a part of. Each one of us should be involved in exposing the evils that have become law, and exposing those parties that support these laws. We should be actively pointing out these evils and the parties that support these evils in the Christian community.

Each one of us must be involved in learning and spreading a Biblical Christian Worldview in order to gain many more that can do the same. When we can do this successfully, our membership will grow, and as a result the number of votes we gain in the next elections will grow exponentially!

So, see this year as a challenge to make party membership grow. If you are a member already, make sure that you renew your membership and start by gaining new members for the party. If you are not a member, and you think you have the same worldview (philosophy of life) as the ACDP, then join us and help to gain more members. For those living in Tshwane (Pretoria) simply go to our website to get our contact information.

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you with a great and wonderful 2008!

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