Programme Director
Our host, the Mpumalanga Electoral Officer, Mr Steve Ngwenya
Leaders of the political parties
Members of the Legislature
The business community present here
The faith-based organisations
The South African Police Service (SAPS) representatives
Government officials
Members of the media
Distinguished guests and all dignitaries present
Ladies and gentlemen
I wish to thank the Mpumalanga Independent Electoral Commission, for the invitation to address you, especially my colleagues in politics in my capacity as the MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison and not as a politician.
We are gathered here as different political parties to pledge adherence to the code of conduct, set by the Independent Electoral Commission, for the third round of municipal elections in our country.
From now until the voting day on 18 May 2011, we are expecting the political parties to show tolerance and to recognise the rights of other participating political parties.
We expect political parties to allow free political activities for their supporters, and those people who do not want to be involved in politics should do so without fear or hindrance.
I believe that as responsible and respective political parties you will be pledging that you will eradicate the “No Go Zones” for certain political parties, and that everyone will campaign freely without fear of being attacked for entering the areas perceived to be belonging to certain political parties.
You are here to commit yourselves that your parties not provoke other parties’ supporters, and that people will attend political rallies by choice and nobody will be victimised if they are not interested.
It is a fact ladies and gentlemen that since the dawn of democracy in our country, our province has never experienced political violence. This means we have been maturing politically. Maybe in future we will not even need to pledge because we would be understanding our responsibilities.
It is my believe that one day ladies and gentlemen, political parties in Mpumalanga will campaign next to each other without any conflict.
We have come here to publicly commit ourselves to tolerance and non-violence because we know that this country is not a Banana Republic, it has the rules and laws which protect all of us.
During the period of electioneering and on the day of the elections, our police will play a crucial supporting role in order to make the elections free and fair. I am aware that the provincial management of the South African Police in Mpumalanga is hard at work planning for this period of electioneering and the voting day.
I must warn you ladies and gentlemen that the police’s mandate is protect the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Bill of Rights thereof.
During this period, they will protect all the citizens of our province and work without favour for any individual or political party. If your political parties are found to be on the wrong side of the law, the police will do their job which is to arrest.
It does not matter whether you are my comrade in the same political party, whether you are a high profile individual or a celebrity, as long as you are on the wrong side of the law, the police will play their role.
Chapter three of Part seven of the Local Government Municipal Electoral Act Number 27 of 2000, states that any person contravening the code of conduct is guilty of an offence. The police will do anything in their power to ensure that the elections are free and fair.
I am therefore appealing to all political parties to understand and accept that in our democracy we need to allow the voters to hear different political opinions as communicated by different political parties.
This will enable them to vote on an informed basis, thus making wise decisions of choosing those they believe will deliver on their expectations.
As you know, the free and fair elections can only be the legitimate way of getting authority to govern in our country. We are therefore expecting amongst others no vote riddling.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud that the relationship between the police and the communities is growing very well and is sound. People believe that the police’s visibility has been increased and as such this brings about hope that they are safe.
Even during this period, we are calling on the police to passionately do their work. Those who are corrupt should leave the service before we can fire them.
We believe that incidences we have witnessed recently, the attack on journalists at Wesselton will not happen again. We should allow the media to freely do their work of informing the public about whatever is newsworthy.
We hope political parties will educate their supporters in such a way that even if they do not want the media at the events, they have no right to attack them.
As politicians you need the media as your partner who will convey your messages to the broader communities. We have a responsibility therefore to educate our supporters about the freedom of speech.
The recent disturbing incident of a Bethal statue demolished for unknown reasons, calls for political education because it has a bad connotation which could lead to certain groups of our society provoked thereby resorting to political violence.
In conclusion ladies and gentlemen, while our province has always been known for peaceful electioneering, let us not rest, let us go to our people and continue to motivate them to behave as expected.
Your commitment to the pledge you will make today, will bring about credible, free and fair elections for our province.
Good luck for the municipal elections.
I thank you
Source: Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison
