Step one: Trample the independence of Parliament
Last year a number of dodgy lease deals were signed by government. The Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, looked into these and found them to be corrupt and she urged President Zuma to take action. Her report gave President Zuma until Monday 12 September to announce what he would do with the two ministers concerned (Bheki Cele and Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinda). President Zuma has blatantly ignored the deadline and has shown contempt for the legal processes of our country. On Wednesday this week Members of Parliament tried to hold President Zuma to account for this lack of action and instead of rigorous debate, the speaker of Parliament ANC member Max Sisulu, protected the President and denied Parliament the opportunity to question the man who is supposed to be leading our country. This shocking show of party politics has no place in Parliament
Step two: Question the integrity of the Judicial system
A number of months ago Julius Malema sang a song at a rally called "awudubule ibhunu" (Shoot the Boer). Many individuals and organisations were concerned that this was hate speech and duly took Mr Malema to court. The ANC threw their weight behind Malema. This week the ANC lost and the song has rightly been called hate speech. Rather than accepting an independent legal process the ANC has come out and shamelessly challenged the courts. If we cannot respect rule of law we cannot call ourselves a democracy.
Step three: Crush the freedom of the media
For any democracy to thrive the media need to be free to challenge and question the party in power. This serves to strengthen and reinforce the freedom of speech and the culture of transparency. In the last year the ANC has introduced proposed legislation, which would greatly restrict media freedom. This legislation allows for the classification of any information the government deems fit, coupled with jail time for any journalist who should publish this classified information regardless of public interest. By crushing the media's freedom the ANC is crushing our democracy
Having read the above statements, you tell me if you feel that our government is committed to democracy or not.
I do believe that as always, and as seen worldwide, we have a minority of radical extremists busy messing it up for the majority of the population of this country. It is the majority ( made of all the cultures represented in our rainbow nation) that has gone a long way in bridging the cultural divide and learning to know and respect each others strength and respective wisdom. It is high time the silent majority of the citizens from this magnificent and remarkable country of ours, rise up in unity and strength and refuse to be manipulated and brain washed through fear.
ReplyDeleteNkosi Sikele e Africa!