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The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal has noted the Constitutional Court Judgement on the application by the Department of Correctional Services for leave to appeal the Supreme Court judgement on President Jacob Zuma’s medical parole.

Importantly,  the ANC in the province respects the fact that the Department of Correctional Services is studying the judgement and will soon ventilate its position publicly.

Flowing from above, as the ANC in the province we reject a reckless statement issued by the  Democratic Alliance calling for “Zuma’s detention without delay.”

We know that the DA, Hellen Suzman Foundation and AfriForum celebrates each time there is mayhem in this country.

After all, these organisations do not want to see the unity of indigenous people. They have amassed resources which are dedicated to divide the majority of people in this country and to pit ANC leaders against society.

Courts are also used by these organisations to reverse any policy that is aimed at ensuring the prosperity of indigenous people.

Whilst we understand that we are a Constitutional Democracy, we believe that at this stage, the Department of Correctional Services must be allowed to study the judgement and make an informed pronouncement in the interest of the people of this country.

It should be remembered that the Department of Correctional Services, under a democratic government, runs its system of correctional services based the Freedom Charter.

The freedom loving South Africans of all racial groups, adopted among others, a clause in the charter that stipulated: _“Imprisonment shall be only for serious crimes against the people, and shall aim at re-education, not vengeance.”_

The work of Correctional Services  is therefore based on this clause of the Freedom Charter.

Critically, hind sight is always the best teacher.

In this regard, we believe that 2021 July Unrest has lessons of equal significance for all arms of the state,  the ANC, opposition political parties, private sector, the media and society at large.

About R50 billion was wiped out of the South African economy as a result of July 2021 unrest.

It is for these reasons we have taken a decision to consult widely to ensure that as we move forward, there is peace and stability.

In as much as we are engaging with ANC Luthuli House on this matter, during this period we are also reaching out to all sectors of society, take counsel and guidance on where they see our shortcomings. This will form the basis for us to make amends.

Let us all exercise maximum restraint and ensure that the rule of law prevails whilst these consultations are underway.  

No amount of anger amongst our people should lead to incidents of violence, unrest and destruction of property.

These will reverse the gains we are making in rebuilding our economy. We need to lift thousands of people out of abject poverty and conditions of squalor.

We must not fall into the trap of agents provocateurs who have emerged from the shadows and landed on the front pages of national papers using this constitutional court judgement. They want to see this country going up in flames.

Recently, we announced the rollout of a series of activities such as Cleansing Ceremony which will be championed by senior leaders of the movement such President Zuma and former Premiers Sbu Ndebele and Willies Mchunu.

The cleansing ceremony activities are aimed at ensuring peace, stability and social cohesion in this province.

Issued by the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal