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This press release is produced by the ANC stalwarts and veterans (the stalwarts), who are signatories to the document, “For the Sake of our Future”. The stalwarts also organised the “National Consultative Conference on the ANC” in November 2017 to critically and constructively discuss and debate the state of the ANC.

We strongly support the State Capture Inquiry; it is an important intervention by the President and provides an opportunity for our diverse communities to become more aware of the impact of corruption prevalent in both the state and private sectors and how resources of the State have been diverted from their intended purposes.

In these circumstances it is therefore, regrettable that two registered political parties, the EFF and the BLF have tried to undermine the legitimacy of the Inquiry.

The well-publicised statements of the EFF and the BLF outside the Inquiry do not in any way add value to the public discourse that should be taking place over state capture, and the associated self-enrichment and criminal activities. The vile racial invective spewed by Malema and his cronies in the EFF and BLF against comrades Pravin Gordhan, Barbara Hogan and others exposes a political strategy reminiscent of proto-fascists, for whom hate speech is a mobilising tool. In particular, this strategy seeks to deflect attention from the critical project of strengthening and protecting our public institutions from abuse and the looting that has almost reversed all the gains since the dawn of our constitutional democracy.

To call people “bastards” or “dogs”, may attract media coverage, but it is ironically straight from the manuals of neo-fascist organisations in Europe and beyond.  It undermines the institutions of democracy, threatens free speech and attempts to divert attention away from the evidence before the Inquiry. It also, as we have seen in so many countries leads to a rise in senseless violence, in all its complex forms against others who do not wear the uniforms of the “fighters”.

If personal attacks on individuals who are part of the inquiry, leading, giving evidence, or reporting are allowed to continue then Malema’s warnings of casualties will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

We stand four-square behind comrade Pravin Gordhan, the other brave activists and members of the media who have exposed the corruption that led to the Inquiry and urge anyone who can assist the Inquiry to come forward. The time for silent acquiescence to those involved in State Capture must be ended.  

 As a group of Stalwarts and Veterans we have long called for interventions similar to the State Capture Inquiry and will continue to support all such initiatives. We have and continue to stand for the historical values and principles of the ANC, including the commitment of the ANC to build a non-racial, non-sexist and equitable society.

We call on all South Africans and the governing party, in particular, to join us in condemning this disgraceful behaviour.

It is also time for those who seek to disrupt the workings of the inquiry to allow  themselves to have their own evidence led and be open to cross examination on whether they too are beneficiaries of money that were allocated for the most vulnerable of society and service delivery.

Yes, there is a need for “money to be paid back” and the cancer of corruption and self-interest cut once and for all from our society.

Issued by The ANC Stalwarts And Veterans