Disruption of election campaign programmes of any political party is an affront to our constitution which guarantees free political activity and freedom of association, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Monday in condemning political intolerance in the platinum belt.
“Workers who are involved in the protracted strike should not be misled into taking out their frustration on political parties that wish to campaign in the area as they are not part to the labour dispute involving Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and mining houses,” Premier Modise said .
Modise was reacting to the torching of a shack used as an ANC office in Nkaneng informal settlement on Thursday and disruption of Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula’s door-to-door campaign in Freedom Park on Sunday.
In appealing to political parties to desist from making irresponsible and populist statements in order to make the platinum belt a no-go area for others, the Premier said that government which is not a party to the dispute has played its part in mediating and bringing the parties to the negotiation table.
“With a new proposal on the table, It is now up to the parties to find one another for an urgent settlement to end the four months old strike which has had a devastating impact on them, our economy and in particular the livelihood of miners and their families,” she stressed.
Premier Modise called on communities to assist police in their investigations to ensure that those responsible for violent acts and intimidation which is against the electoral act are behind bars.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell : 083 629 1987
Fax : 018 388 3157
E-mail : LKgwele@gmail.com
