adminDurban — President Jacob Zuma has urged political parties in KwaZulu Natal to work with the Independent Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) to ensure that peaceful elections take place.“Everyone has a right to support a party of their choice. That is the freedom we fought for,” Zuma said at the University of Zululand.
He said the people of the province had the freedom to select political parties of their choice.
People and political parties should enjoy their freedom, since KwaZulu-Natal had experienced much violence during apartheid, said Zuma.
“Only a few years ago, this province was engulfed by a wave of internecine violence that was fomented by the apartheid state security apparatus in order to prolong their reign.”
Determination and political will were needed for the political parties in the province to reach a consensus and end the violence. Zuma also said South Africa was a better place to live in today, than it was before 1994.
“The people of Pietermaritzburg, Hammarsdale, Ngwelezane, Shobashobane, Trustfeed, kwaMakhutha and many other areas know what we are talking about.”
Returning to the theme of violence, the president said Zululand University was one of the places that experienced violence during apartheid.
“This very campus, if it could talk, would tell stories of some incidents of violence that were perpetrated here before 1994.”
The achievement of peace and stability in the province, under difficult conditions, was one of the country’s most notable achievements.
“The entire transition was under threat. The people of KwaZulu-Natal must never take this achievement for granted,” Zuma said. “As we prepare for the elections next month therefore, we urge the people of KwaZulu-Natal not to allow themselves to be provoked towards senseless violence.”
Meanwhile, President Zuma on Tuesday condemned the violent service delivery protests the country has seen since he took office five years ago.
Responding to a parliamentary question on whether he had given personal attention to the service delivery protests and municipal revolt, Zuma said: “Addressing the volatile situation of protests, I have on numerous occasions called for restraint.
“Although the Constitution grants people the right to protest, this should be done within the ambit of the law, and in a peaceful manner,” said Zuma.
He maintained that problems could not be solved through violence and anger.
Other than condemning violent protests, Zuma said service delivery to all citizens had been prioritised.
He said he had held meetings with mayors and municipal managers of Khayelitsha when he came into power in 2009.
“It was resolved that we need to assist municipalities and strengthen inter-governmental relations in order to improve the delivery of services to the people,” said Zuma in his written response to the National Assembly.
He said the department of public services and administration, and the National Treasury were embarking on initiatives to close the loopholes on supply chain management, officials doing business with the state and corruption.
Government also took a decision to establish a performance monitoring and evaluation department in the presidency.
“We further decided to go beyond receiving reports from departments and to undertake hands-on visits to assess the delivery on our five priorities and other programmes of government,” said Zuma.
He said there was a combination of factors that contributed to the actions of service delivery.
“Cabinet has at various times given attention to the issues of protests as well as addressing underlying matters of concern.”
In his lengthy written response, Zuma listed efforts by government to introduce initiatives aimed at wiping out service delivery backlogs. — AP
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