ANC: Statement by Jackson Mthembu, ANC National Spokesperson, rejects call made by launch of the Vote No campaign (15/04/2014)

15th April 2014

ANC: Statement by Jackson Mthembu, ANC National Spokesperson, rejects call made by launch of the Vote No campaign (15/04/2014)

The African National Congress joins the many South Africans, including
ANC stalwarts, who have rejected the call made by launch of the Vote No
campaign by Former Minister Kasrils and others today, 15th April 2014.
The ANC regards this call espoused by the Vote No campaign as disruptive,
reckless and counter-revolutionary.

The people of South Africa, led by their organisation the African
National Congress, paid the highest price for the right to vote. The
right of our people to vote was not a benevolent act bestowed by Ronnie
Kasrils upon South Africans; it was the supreme sacrifice made in
recognition of the fact that no government can claim authority unless it
is based on the will of the people, and as such our people would forever
jealously guard this hard-won right. Reactionary statements therefore
that call for such careless behaviour as spoiling ballot papers is
tantamount to undermining the long struggles and the sacrifices of our
people.

The African National Congress is further disappointed by the false
statement made by Former Minister Kasrils that he has raised his
disgruntlement with the ANC within the structures of the movement, as
would have been expected from someone of his stature. It is put on record
that at no point were such matters raised within the ANC. This behaviour
is typical of Ronne Kasrils’ historical adventurism, ill-discipline and
recklessness. The ANC is confident that this reactionary call shall have
no effect on the ANC and the elections. On the contrary, we believe that
it will galvanise more of our people to go out on the 7th May to show
Kasrils and ilk that the right to vote is sacrosanct.