Issued by African National Congress
26th April 2001
Wth regards to recent media reports and comments from analysts pertaining to the investigation conducted by Minister Tshwete on the safety of the President, the African National Congress, wishes to state the following facts for the record:
1. As the African National Congress, we have full confidence and trust in Minister Tshwete's capabilities. In executing his duties, the ANC knows him to be even handed and diligent.
2 As the ANC, we believe that Minister Tshwete carried his duties well, acted appropriately and correctly in the light of the investigation conducted by his department.
3.The conscious misinterpretation of the ANC's statement as read in our Press briefing yesterday is totally mischievious. At no point, has the ANC distanced itself from Minister Steve Tshwete. His constitutional obligation to carry out his mandate as Minister of Safety and Security should not be confused with his membership of the African National Congress.
4. The frivolous allegation that state resources have been utilised to deal with party matters is baseless and devoid of any truth. The true facts are that, Minister Tshwete conducted the investigation in his capacity as a custodian of the safety and security of all South African citizens, including the President of our country.
5. With regards to the three comrades mentioned in the probe, who are ANC members, surely as ANC members, an understanding of the need to protect the President and indeed all citizens will be paramount in their assertion of the current situation, out of which the vigilance of the Department of Safety and Security can only be welcomed, as it is in the best interest of all South Africans regardless of political affiliation.
In conclusion, the ANC appeals to all those who have an interest in the outcomes of this investigation to ensure that the Department led by Minister Tshwete is given the necessary space to operate, and bring this investigation to its final conclusion.
For more information, contact Smuts Ngonyama at 082 569 2061
Issued by the Head of the Presidency: Smuts Ngonyama
Department of Communications
African National Congress
54 Sauer Street
Johannesburg
2000