Note to Editors: This statement follows the sitting of the IFP’s National Executive committee. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the IFP sits every Monday to discuss issues facing the country and the party.
On State Capture Commission of Inquiry (President Ramaphosa Must Appear Before The Commission):
The NEC has noted with great concern the evidence and testimony coming out of the State Capture Commission of Inquiry. It is becoming clearer each day that the culture of corruption runs very deep and continues to cripple this country at an alarming rate.
However, the NEC wishes to warn against kneejerk reactions to the evidence being presented and therefore calls for the Commission to be allowed to perform its work without undue pressure; and allow the process to arrive at a logical conclusion.
Furthermore, whilst President Ramaphosa ascended to the high office of President on the promise of hope coming out of the so-called New Dawn this masked the fact that although President Ramaphosa may be getting the plaudits as a new broom, Mr Ramaphosa was the Deputy President under President Zuma when all these things were taking place, right under his nose. The question is what did he do then?
It would be in the National Interest if President Ramaphosa testified before the Commission as well.
On Jobs Summit:
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s hosting of yet another toothless and wasteful talk shop hailed as the “jobs summit” held last week was nothing more than a PR exercise to flex his inability to stimulate growth and to lure international investment as he manages internal factions within the ANC and the policy inconsistency within the ANC itself continues to be the bane of the prospects of economic growth.
It is rather unfortunate that the President is silent on job killing machinations which he had an opportunity to address at the past summit.
The entire summit had been overshadowed by Finance Minister, Nhlanhla Nene’s testimony in the State Capture Inquiry and his visits with the Guptas.
President Ramaphosa would do well to clear out the rot and corrupt cronies in his cabinet, cut the cabinet as promised in his State of the Nation Address and walk his talk on matters relating to the ever increasing fuel levies and break his silence on the matter.
The lack of focus on small business at the “jobs summit” will contribute to the current economic lethargy; small business should be the key central focus with key focus on local economic development and skills development.
The IFP believes that small business development should be a national priority. There needs to be a strong focus on developing small and medium enterprises with the support of government.
The IFP strongly believes that it must be made easier for emerging businesses and SMMEs to obtain finance and other support from our development finance institutions. The promotion of SMMEs is a key driver of employment during this difficult time.
The NEC reiterates the need to create a favourable and conducive environment that will encourage investment and economic growth through the following proposed measures:
- Greater macro-economic stability through strategic fiscal and responsive monetary policy initiatives:
- Less government and less regulatory involvement in the economy – including an extensive roll-out of public- private partnership investments;
- Purposeful fixed investment by government itself; and
- More effective incentives to potential investors, including but not limited to tax breaks.
On Shutdown Movements:
The NEC notes with serious concern the wave of shutdown movements that have spread across the country. While we acknowledge the rights of any group to protest, we encourage all South Africans to do so in a manner which does not impede on others’ rights and freedoms. We call for calm in communities and we urge all protesters to refrain from damaging government property, looting shops and closing down roads.
The damage and destruction to property which has characterised recent protests is cause for concern, as this indicates a weakness in the intelligence services of this country.
On child trafficking:
The NEC notes the alarming rates of child trafficking, in particular in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, as reports show an increasing in the number of children being trafficked by Childline.
We need a coordinated strategy to address this scourge. We call on the Departments of Home Affairs, Defence, Police and International Relations and Cooperation to work together with Community Policing Fora and civil society organisations, in tackling child trafficking by syndicates which operate in the country.
A society is measured in how it treats its children and we try our best to clamp down on this practice.
–
Contact:
Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
