Issued by African National Congress
29 March 2000
As stated earlier in the media, the African National Congress does not have a position that seeks to remove town clerks from their portfolios. However, the situation in De Aar arose as a consequence of frustrations encountered by the ANC branch in its engagements with the particular town clerk.
'These comrades, through their experience of dealing with people who were not sympathetic to their concerns, vented their anger in this particular manner, as a last resort to bring attention to their plight".
'The existence of individuals and elements who deliberately blocked change and frustrated communities at local level cannot be left to continue unabated.However, the ANC restates that for local governance to work, partnerships between communities and their local managers are an essential element without which, there can be no progress."
The ANC calls on those responsible for running these local offices to ensure that the needs of the communities come first in the spirit of 'Batho Pele', in order to prevent such actions being meted towards them. However, with regards to allegations that a memo was circulated calling for 'town clerks to be removed by ANC councillors, the organization believes that'if there is such a memo in circulation, it should be withdrawn immediately' and that such methods of expression cannot be condoned".
For more information, contact Nomfanelo Kota-Mayosi at 082 -570-5072
Issed by the Head of the Presidency: Smuts Ngonyama
Department of Communications
African National Congress
51 Plein Street, Johannesburg
2000