OPPOSITION UNITE BEHIND SECRECY BILL
POWER BROKERS: Opposition party leaders at a rally in Port Elizabeth at the weekend included COPE president Mosiuoa Lekota (left) and Dr Wilmot James, DA federal chairman Picture: Judy de Vega
OPPOSITION political parties have vowed to work together on issues of national importance in an effort to weaken the ANC ahead of elections in 2014.
COPE MP and Youth Movement president Nqaba Bhanga said: "We must work together as opposition parties in all issues important to us. But we are not forming one united opposition organisation, although we might in future work together in coordinating our campaigns. We are not advocating for a two-party state, we promote a multi-party democracy.”
DA Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip said it was "most likely” there would be a political realignment between now and 2014. This was because opposition political parties were starting to work together on issues of moral concern and values.
COPE president Mosiuoa Lekota said: "I must welcome what is the most improved cooperation between opposition political parties. I’m thrilled that the rally is held here [in Port Elizabeth] because Steve Biko was killed here. Matthew Goniwe was also killed here for opposing laws similar to the secrecy bill.
"Also this is the city where I was arrested more than in any other city.”
Lashing out at the bill, Lekota said: "[President Jacob] Zuma has never said the state is under threat. In his last speech [in Parliament] he said unemployment, poverty and education were in fact the biggest threats.
"We have been exposing their corruption day in and day out. The threat is to those who are embezzling state funds. We don’t need this legislation.”
The ANC made concessions on the bill on Thursday. These included, among others, a public interest defence clause to protect journalists and whistleblowers risking prison terms should they expose government’s shenanigans.
COPE-WM Statement on Shilowa vs. Cope case
The Congress of the People Women Movement welcomes the con court ruling that dismisses former Cope deputy President Sam Shilowa’s application regarding his expulsion from the Party.
This was the 13th Consecutive loss with Costs to Sam Shilowa which is a clear indication that his public pronouncements and grand standing as the so called 'President' of Cope has no legal standing whatsoever, however, we have noted with serious concern that these are his further attempts to challenge Congress of the People in Court which reflect a deep seated desire to cause divisions and these has no legal standing and no effect at all.
We, the Congress of the People Women Movement, therefore, call to all our members and supporters to heed the call in the Cope Renewal Programme in Preparations for our Regional, Provincial and National Conferences this year- to swell the ranks of our movement and be part of the genuine and incorruptible home of hope and change. We are convinced as we have always believed in Principles; correctness of our cause and Cope Internal democratic Processes that Cope is in good and capable hands of our President Mosioua Lekota.
For further inquiries please contact
MATETE MOKGETLHE
NATIONAL GENERAL SECRETARY- COPEWM
084 485 1341
NCUMISA MAHANGU
NATIONALCHAIRPERSON- COPEWM
079 777 1353
COPE anti-secrecy bill campaign invades Soweto
By: Noko Moloto
COPE renews call for Defence Clause inclusion in Secrecy Bill!
THE Congress of the People President, Mosiuoa Lekota will actively engage with thousands of Soweto residents at the, “Stop The Secrecy Bill Rally” in Orlando West on Sunday, 6 May 2012.
This rally will be held in one of the most historical townships of South Africa. It forms part of COPE’s Anti-Secrecy Bill Campaign. COPE is very opposed to the secrecy Bill. Since last year it has earnestly fought government’s attempt to put the lid on a wide range of information through the secrecy Bill. Much of this information has nothing to do with state security. The Bill is introducing draconian laws to intimidate journalists and whistle-blowers alike.
President Lekota rejects the bill because the net is cast too wide. It is hardly surprising that many people are calling it a “corruption bill” as it will enable government to hide corruption completely. COPE is clear that the bill in its current form will impact negatively on transparency and accountability. Once the Bill becomes law Media will not be able to expose corruption and looting if the documents containing such information is stamped “secret.”
President Lekota who will be the main speaker at the event will share with fellow ordinary South Africans, including COPE members, his deep anxiety of a South Africa where the state becomes increasingly unaccountable.
COPE has had a number of successful Anti-Secrecy Bill rallies, on its own and in conjunction with 10 opposition parties in Parliament. COPE will continue on this mission so that the power of the people can stop the government from undermining the people and the constitution. The struggle continues.
The event will take place as follows:
STOP THE SECRECY BILL RALLY
Date: 6 May 2012
Time: 12:30pm
Venue: Catholic Church Hall (St. Martins) Orlando West
For enquiries; please call
Mr. Willie Madisha (Gauteng Convenor and CNC Member)
079 565 5636
INVITATION TO ATTEND ONGOING CAMPAIGN AGAINST SECRECY BILL
Statement by Fezile Kies, Secretary of COPE in the Northern Cape
Issued: 13 April 2012
We invite all members of the public, civil society, businesses, journalists and anybody with an interest in freedom of speech to attend a gathering at the RC Elliot Hall in Galeshewe, Kimberley on Sunday 22 April 2012 at 14:00. COPE President Terror Lekota is one of the COPE dignitaries who will be visiting Kimberley as part of the ongoing campaign against the Secrecy Bill and we are looking forward to hearing him address us on this crucial matter.
The Secrecy Bill is a matter of national interest, as it impacts directly and disproportionately on media freedom, freedom of speech and our right to know what government is doing. If the Secrecy Bill is passed, whistleblowers and journalists will not be able to expose wrongdoing in government without getting thrown in jail. This is indeed cause for grave concern, considering the various examples of fraud, corruption and mismanagement of public funds that we see in the Northern Cape provincial departments. The Northern Cape Provincial Legislature bought a car for the provincial secretary of the ANC using public funds; the Department of Health has not been able to receive a clean audit due to its shocking profligacy and failure to follow standard accounting norms and practices; senior state officials who are guilty of financial misconduct in terms of the Public Finance Management Act are allowed to go scot free … Imagine how much worse it could get if government was legally allowed to sweep all of its wrongdoings under the carpet!
COPE agrees with American judge Harold Medina who said that, “If you don’t have this freedom of the press, then all these little fellows are weaseling around and doing their monkey business and they never get caught.” We don’t want any monkey business in our democracy. We want accountable, transparent governance and if the Secrecy Bill becomes the law, we’ll never get it.
Now is not the time to be passive and to rely on a vague hope that things will work out okay. Now is the time to stand up and raise your voices in protest against this new form of apartheid legislation. Now is the time for change.