An opinion piece penned by ANC
National Executive Committee member (NEC) and Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe
Sisulu about the members of the judiciary and the Constitution of the Republic
seem to have made it on the list of things to discuss during the organisation’s
lekgotla this weekend.
According to a report tabled to
the NEC, the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s January 8 statement did not gain a
deserved traction due to the ongoing debate on the Constitution and the
destructive fires that gutted a building in the Parliament complex earlier this
month.
The source further indicated that
the ANC national working committee’s assertions to the NEC about the airtime
competition faced by the January 8 statement against the arson at Parliament,
and the debate on the Constitution.
The NEC were further told that
discussions concerning recent matter that seem to have an objective to
undermine the Constitution would be prioritized in the lekgotla which will be
followed by the Cabinet lekgotla on Thursday, January 27.
“The lekgotla has been structured
to focus on evaluating implementation of previous makgotla decisions and,
ensuring implementation of the priorities identified in the January 8
Statement,” indicates a report to the NEC.
“The implementation of these
priorities is inextricably linked to the task of accelerating fundamental
renewal and rebuilding of the ANC, so that it is a more effective and trusted
agent of change,” the report to the NEC further stated.
Friday saw the ANC’s alliance
partner, Cosatu infuriated over the governing party’s continued silence on a
recent public spat between Ramaphosa and Sisulu over conflicting reports that
the minister had retracted her remarks about black judges.
“It is a side issue (the spat).
It is a non-issue. There are big problems in South Africa. Our people do not
have reliable electricity-supply. The majority of the adult population is
unemployed,” Pamla said.
He further said that Ramaphosa
and Sisulu could have chosen a more appropriate setting for the discussion of
the matter, with the ANC NEC meeting held this week being one such environment.
“They both serve in the Cabinet.
They could have discussed these matters at the policy conference or at the
national general council. They are also sitting in sub-committees of
Parliament,” he said.
“It is likely to distract us, but
Cosatu will not entertain the matter at all,” he concluded.
