Media Statements
To: All media houses, Journalists and Editors.
Statement Of SANCO on the ANCYL & ANC with regards to the City of Tshwane & ECG
15 January 2019
Pretoria, Gauteng
SANCO has noted both statements issued by the ANC & it’s league but we can safely say they didn’t come as a surprise.
Firstly the ANCYL claims to be in a position of the compliance certificate issued by the City of Tshwane for the church to host a service on the 31st of December 2018 & we appreciate that. However we would like to remind them that the incident took place on the 28th of December 2018 and any information they have should been handed to the SAPS as they’re busy with the investigation.
We are not surprised at all by the ANCYL of Tshwane stance on issues happening in the City as they have been caught up on allegations of collecting monies from City Manager by members of the ANC in various whatsup groups of which we have in our position.
We have given our clear position to the City with regards to its role on the said day of the incident and we will await the investigations outcome and from then onwards approach relevant institutions for recourse.
We are also not shocked by the ANC’s position on the matter as you could see from similarities to that of the ANCYL which proves the fact that the ANC is controlled by a group of friends who are in charge of the ANCYL hence you would see that part of the contact person on the statement it’s a caucus of council Spokesperson which is a new tendency.
We would like to reiterate that our position will remain unchanged on the ECG & Prophet Bushiri until proven otherwise by the investigation. We will continue with our program of action which is a planned march & engage other stakeholders of our society to participate.
We will also engage the our upper structure with regards to the behavior of certain individuals in the ANC & ANCYL which might impact on the already weak election machinery of the ANC Greater Tshwane Region.
Issued By:
SANCO Greater Tshwane Region, Communication Department
SANCO Regional Spokesperson
Bafana Nhlapo
082 412 1209
SANCO Regional Chairperson
Abram Mashishi
082 950 0839
SANCO Regional Secretary
Portia Mokoena
083 598 9739
To: All media houses, Journalists and Editors.
Statement on the Train Collision incident in Pretoria
09 January 2019
Pretoria, Gauteng
SANCO has noted with great sadness the unfortunate train collision in Pretoria (Mountain View Station) on the 8th of January, 2019 where approximately four commuters lost their lives.
It can never be "business as usual" when over six hundred people are injured as a result such an incident. SANCO therefore calls for an official investigation into the cause of the accident. As a vanguard of people's rights and the organisation that has prides itself on being at the centre of people's struggles, SANCO also commits to assisting the families of those injured in the accident and those who have lost thier loved ones in any form of litigation that may need to be undertaken as a result of this deadly accident.
SANCO applauds the Swift and timely manner in which emergency services arrived at the scene and tried to minimise casualties as much as possible, though in some instances, it was unavoidable. As SANCO, our ground forces and leadership were also on the scene quickly with Transport MEC, Ismail Vadi and the PRASA provincial manager, the Group CEO and the CEO. Furthermore, the actions of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to set up on-site walk in centres to treat the injured is also to be commended.
However, SANCO in the Greater Tshwane Region has also noted with greater concern the manner in which the minister of Transport, Blade Nzimande has decidedly made the incident just another result of criminal activity and seemed to absolve PRASA of any wrong doing. SANCO does not expect a Minister such as this to still be complaining about cable theft when it's avoidable by adding rail security to avert the problem in the future. The ministers assessment of the problems at PRASA (especially in this regard) are lackluster and shoddy at best. Cable theft and rail theft are not anomalies so they need to be treated as the problems that they are. To this end, SANCO can confirm that they have met with PRASA in the wake of this incident and the following has been provisionally agreed to:
- A stakeholder engagement forum will have to be initiated in order to deal with the reoccurring problem of cable theft.
- PRASA will take full responsibility for all funeral costs of those who have lost their lives.
- Those who have been critically injured will be monitored and Communication with their families will be continuous.
SANCO finally wishes to send heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost thier lives in this tragic incident. The minister was up in arms talking about the R21 million that this incident caused but that does not amount to a single life lost.
End
Issued By:
SANCO Communications Department
To: ALL JOURNALIST, EDITORS AND MEDIA HOUSES
STATEMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE "POSTER BOY OF CORRUPTION" SOLLY MSIMANGA AS MAYOR OF TSHWANE
18 January 2018
Tshwane, Gauteng
SANCO in the greater Tshwane Region is delighted at the decision to resign by the soon to be former mayor of the City of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga. It is an indictment of all Sanco has continued to say about his horrible and unqualified leadership style in the city of Tshwane.
It is the hope and believe of SANCO that Msimangas corrupt cohort, the current municipal manager, Dr. Moeketsi Mosola, will also follow suit as he is also in the same umbrella as the mayor when it comes to corrupt practices.
Solly leaves a legacy of theft, pain and even death in his tenure as mayor. It's discerning that he would resign before the matter with Bushiri and the Enlightened Christian Gathers chruch is resolved.
SANCO is however undeterred by his resignation and will continue to fight the good fight for the people of Tshwane and those who lost thier lives in this tragic occurrence.
Finally, Sanco would like to congratulate the ANC caucus in council for their continued fight against corruption at the hands of the DA/EFF coalition in the city of Tshwane. The Regional executive committee is, on some fronts, progressive in their approach to issues that affect the poorest of the poor. However, our fight continues and we will not allow to be dictated to by members of the organisation about our particular stance, especially with regards to the Bushiri matter. We still condemn the statement they released in the strongest regard and we will remained determined to the cause of justice.
End
All enquiries maybe be directed to:
SANCO Regional Chairperson
Abram Mashishi
082 950 0839
SANCO Regional Secretary
Portia Mokoena
083 598 9739
SANCO Regional Spokesperson
Bafana Nhlapo
082 412 1209
End
Issued By:
SANCO Communications Department
TO: ALL JOURNALISTS, EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS
Statement of SANCO in the Greater Tshwane Region with regard to the so called donation of land to Prophet Sheppard Bushiri
16 April 2019
Pretoria, Gauteng
SANCO in the Greater Tshwane Region has noted with utter despair, the manner in which the King of the Ndebele Nation, his imperial majesty Makhosonke Enoch Mabena II has been in the center of controversy with the forever troublesome Pastor Sheppard Bushiri. There have been numerous confirmed reports that a huge piece of land estimated to be worth R18 Million, belonging to the Community Property Association has been “donated” to the Enlightened Gatherers Church (ECG), which is headed by Prophet Bushiri.
In a radio interview conducted by Ikwekwezi Fm this morning (16 Apr. 19), the king confirmed that the land had been donated to the church so that a new church can be built as they are moving from the Tshwane Events Centre in a few months. It is worrying that the King in all his wisdom, has given land that belongs to the community, to a church that does not represent the core values of Christianity and fellowship, this witnessed with the manner in which the families of the people who died in the premises in December. SANCO wishes to state on the record that we will be engaging with other members of the Community Property Association to ascertain the terms and rationale behind this so called donation of the land to the church.
The land in question was previously occupied by people who needed a place to stay and they were forcibly removed by the Red ants. Now, how has land that is so contentious has been prioritized for churches but not for the residence of people who are in desperate need for a place to stay. SANCO would like to suggest that the land be used for residential purposes and we will engage the Community Property Association to fast track this process in collaboration with government.
SANCO also notes the reports from various sources that claim that this land was actually not donated, but an undisclosed amount of money was given to the King to secure the land. There has to be an investigation into this allegation and needs to be tested with the relevant law enforcement authorities.
SANCO wishes to state that the matter of the deaths at the Enlightened Gatherers Church have not been resolved. It is heavily worrying that church has already moved on and there has not been any logical conclusion to this tumultuous and tragic event. SANCO will not rest until the families are treated fairly and equally and with the respect they deserve.
END
Matlakala Abram Mashishi
Sanco Regional Chairperson
082 950 0839
Portia Mokwena
Sanco Regional Secreatary
+27 (79) 030-4718
Bafana Nhlapo
Sanco Spokesperson
+27 (82) 412-1209
URGENT NOTICE TO ALL MEDIA HOUSE, JOURNALIST AND EDITORS
SANCO would like to categorically refute the reports that the protest under the hashtag #TshwaneShutDown were orchestrated by the ANC. The mayor of the city of Tshwane is grasping at straws and trying to shift blame for the lack of services in townships across the whole region. It is worrying that this narrative is being pushed instead of dealing with the issues directly. The incidents that took place all around the city of Tshwane are an indictment of all the problems that communities are forced to live through under the DA/EFF coalition.
End
Enq
Matlakala Abram Mashishi
Regional Chairpeson
0829500839
Portia Mokwena
Regional Secreatary
+27 (79) 030-4718
Bafana Nhlapo
Spokesperson
+27 (82) 412-1209
PRESS ALERT
20 February 2019
SANCO in the Greater Tshwane Region will accompany the family of the slain congregants at the CLR commission. They will be speaking to the commission and have requested to Question Prophet Sheppard Bushiri about the occurrences that took place on that fateful day
Details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 21 February 2019
Venue: CLR Commission headquarters,
31 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein.
Time: 14:00
All enquiries maybe be directed to:
Abram Mashishi
Regional Chairperson
0829500839
Poria Mokoena
Regional Secretary
083 598 9739
Bafana Nhlapho
Regional Spokesperson
+27 82 412 1209
Delegates, Comrades and SANCO Alumni
The Newly Elected Secretary of the Region and the whole REC.
The Deployees from Province and National.
Our Alliance Partners, COSATU and the SACP.
The ANC at all levels and it's leagues.
Honoured guests.
It is with great honour that I address you as on this auspicious day. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the outgoing SANCO REC for their tireless work in advancing the struggles of our people. The vibrancy of SANCO has never the result of a singular human being but that if a collective. I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to comrades who assisted us during the processes of this event. It is indeed an honour to be surrounded by such selfless and strong people who have the interests of the downtrodden at heart.
Comrades, the work Of SANCO does not begin today with this collective of new leaders at the helm in the region, it continues as we offer alternative solutions for the our people who have been neglected by the fascist and rightist goverment of the DA and the EFF in Tshwane. It is time we intensify our efforts in making sure that we don't only be strong allies to the African National Congress, but also to advance the issues of the poorest of the poor. It is time to reassert ourselves as vanguards of the downtrodden and speak in a common language that seeks to change the lives of our people for the better.
As we go into an election year, let us continue to bring our people in to cognisance about the importance of not only voting but voting for the ANC in the coming elections. Comrades, the dignity of our people needs to be restored and it can only be restored through the ballot box by assisting out people with true information about what the DA and the EFF have done to further inflict poverty upon them.
The days of self-service and corruption must be over. Even though we are allied to the ANC, we will be in the forefront of fighting and exposing any corrupt activities from Ward councillors or leaders in society and in the region.
As we are fast approaching the national congress of SANCO in December, a greater emphasis on leadership needs to be determined. As Sanco in the Greater Tshwane Region, we will call for a youthful, female centred leadership in the National office of SANCO. The national office bearers must emulate the selflessness of our past leaders so that the movement is not infiltrated by lazy and complacent leaders.
Our Alliance with the ANC is strong, and this is because of the foundation that had been built from the ruins of losing the Municipality. We are in a phase of alliance restructuring and to that end, we as SANCO must always demand fair and equal opportunity when it comes to issues of empowerment and deployment. We can no longer allow the contribution of all alliance partner to simply be seen as voting cows when the ANC but when opportunities come, there is nothing we're doing to better our people's lives.
Comrades, let the divisions of the past remain a thing of the past. Let the lessons we learnt in 2016 when our people did not go out to vote serve as an interest point to show us how it does not serve us when we do not unite.
An ancient African proverb once said "when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers". Our organisation has to be renewed comrades and groupings of the past must be left in the past. A united Sanco will be a determined Sanco and we will be able to efficiently and effectively deal with bread and butter issues of our people. In this speech, I'd also like to emphasize the importance of education to our comrades and members. It is important to capacitate yourself with information and knowledge so that we can build a strong and decisive SANCO that is not only led by politicians but also academics. In the same light, I'd like to congratulate the fomer chairman on the ANCYL in Tshwane, comrade Masket Mtshweni for attaining his doctorate. He is the leadership all of us should be aspiring to.
And finally comrades, each and every one of us in this arena should be going out to ensure a decisive victory for the ANC by reinforcing our structures. Having our own campaigns at branch level and make sure we volunteer our time and resources to fight the neoliberal policies that are imposed on our people by the corrupt administration.
As the Chairperson of SANCO in the Greater Tshwane Region, my promise to comrades is to focus on renewal of the energy of the organisation, to revive branches and to work with the collective of SANCO to rebuild branches to ensure the capacity of branches is maximized.
Forward with the Renewal.
Forward with Revival.
Forward with rebuilding.
Amandla!
I thank you.
Statement on the ANC victory in recent bi-elections in Ward 9, Winterveldt Tshwane Metro.
01 November 2018
Tshwane, Gauteng
SANCO Greater Tshwane Region would like to congratulate the ANC in Greater Tshwane Region for the overwhelming victory of 68% at yesterday’s bi-elections. This is indeed a humbling victory taking into consideration that what led to this bi-election was the unfortunate & mostly shameful thing that has faced the Alliance about the previous councilor who was found guilty of rape & serving lengthy sentences in prison. We must take this contract that our people have renewed with the ANC with great reverence and humility in rendering services for our people.
We also took note while we were busy with door to door the lack of development and economic opportunities on this side of our beloved City of Tshwane(CoT). Our people live in abject poverty and the majority of our youth unemployed. We are concerned by the increasing outcry from our people with regard to the state of policing in the area. We will send the Office of the Minister of Police, Cde Bheki Cele a letter with regard to Loate Police Station & frustrations that our people have.
As SANCO we also took note of promises made by the Premier of Gauteng Cde David Makhura in building 2 houses for 2 families in that ward and also the commitment made by the ANC Regional Chairperson Cde Kgosi Maepa about ensuring that 2000 youth are participating in the Tshepo 1million program. As SANCO we will ensure that the ANC delivers on those promises without fail and it wasn’t just for electioneering purposes.
We will also rally our people to support our newly elected ward councillor, Councilor Barbara Baloyi on her new responsibility in ensuring that our people are serviced, we also understand the difficulties ahead more so that the government of the day which is DA/EFF led coalition is anti the poor and marginalized. We will therefore as SANCO avail ourselves in assisting the councilor in ensuring that the DA/EFF administration delivers to our people, even though they have demonstrated their unwillingness to do so since the day they were in charge of government in the city.
Lastly we would like to thank all political parties & people of Winterveldt for the manner they conducted themselves during these elections. There were no reports of violence or intimidations that was reported & we can safely say indeed democracy is alive in this part of the country.
We will from time to time monitor developments in that ward and report also to our people. Our responsibility is to hide nothing from our people.
End.
Issued By:
SANCO Greater Tshwane, Communication Department
For Enq:
SANCO Greater Tshwane Region
Spokesperson
Bafana Nhlapo
082 412 1209
Bafana@SancoTshwane.org.za
Regional Secretary
Portia Mokoena
079 030 4718
Portia@SancoTshwane.org.za
Regional Chairperson
Matlakala Mashishi
+27 82 950 0839
Abram@SancoTshwane.org.za
Statement on the Glad Africa Scandal, Involvement of the EFF and the suspension of the Municipal manager, Mosola
26 October 2018
Tshwane, Gauteng
SANCO has noted with concern the manner in which the DA-EFF Government has continually avoided answering the allegations of corruption in the Glad Africa scandal. It is telling on its own that the Executive Mayor Silly Msimanga, who is leading through the fragility of a coalition with a party that is corrupt, still serves the interests of the super-rich at the expense of the poor.
The EFF can also not claim to be holy cows as we have it on good authority that their leaders have been fingered in the dealings with Mosola with regard to the Glad Africa grand corruption saga. The EFF incessantly said they do not want to govern when they colluded with the DA in the 2016 elections but they have deployed their agents in key strategic positions such as this one of the City manager so that they can loot the coffers of the city whilst masquerading as a champion of the poor and subjugated.
SANCO takes careful note that the City Manager of the CoT Metro does not want the report on Glad Africa to be released and opened for public scrutiny. SANCO knows the implications will damage him, the EFF and the DA mayor thus the reluctance to release it. It is also a cause for concern that it has been so long since answers on the scandal were requested by the ANC in the Greater Tshwane Region & also in caucus but silence is all they have been met with. Instead, the so called Mayor tries to portray the Chairperson of the ANC has no mandate from structures to request accountability from him. It is these sorts of parsimonious delaying tactics that the DA employs instead of dealing with real issues.
Additionally, SANCO demands answers on the participation of local service providers & SMMEs on the deal of this magnitude, or this has been just an illicit money grabbing scheme, conjured up by the corrupt minds of the DA and the EFF. SANCO will always be biased to the poor of the poorest and emerging businesses. Since this dangerously corrupt administration took office, small to medium sized enterprises have been neglected and a focus on a cabal of big businesses that are politically aligned has been emphasized. This is not only morally devoid, it is also technically illegal as there is a law that protects small businesses against this very practice in the PFMA.
SANCO in the Greater Tshwane Region knows the rot and corruption runs deep in the city and it is as a result of the unholy marriage of the EFF and the Omni-racist Democratic Alliance. A scandal of this magnitude can’t be left only for council as we know their unwillingness to deal decisively with this matter
SANCO calls on the public protector to investigate the dealings of the EFF in Glad Africa. We also call on the HAWKS to have an independent investigation on the matter and finally we humbly request the President of the country, comrade Cyril Ramaphosa to institute a Special Investigations Unit(SIU)to deal with this matter. In the meantime we will mobilize our communities to visit all sites where work is done under Glad Africa and close them down until action is taken.
End
Issued By:
SANCO Greater Tshwane, Communication Department
For Enq:
SANCO Greater Tshwane Region
Spokesperson
Bafana Nhlapo
082 412 1209
Bafana@SancoTshwane.org.za
Regional Secretary
Portia Mokoena
079 030 4718
Portia@SancoTshwane.org.za
Regional Chairperson
Matlakala Mashishi
+27 82 950 0839
Abram@SancoTshwane.org.za