THE ANC government was stripping the country and robbing its people, former ANC intelligence minister and party stalwart Ronnie Kasrils said.
Kasrils yesterday told a Heroes Day public debate in Grahamstown they should vote for any other political party except the ANC or Democratic Alliance – or spoil their vote.
But he said in response to sharp criticism from the floor that if there had been any chance the ANC would lose power in next week’s elections, he would never have embarked on the campaign to encourage people not to vote for his beloved party.
However, he said he was confident the ANC would retain a majority of more than 59%.
“We are saying don’t vote for the ANC because we need to bring down the (ANC’s) majority. The message to the government must be clear. Stop corruption, pull up your socks and serve the people, not yourselves.”
The only way to do this was to spoil votes or vote for one of the smaller parties that people felt might have the integrity to stop corruption.
“My whole adult life I have served the ANC, the SACP and MK. But I will definitely not vote for the ANC next week,” Kasrils told about 250 people attending the debate in the Grahamstown city hall.
He pointed to recent research that showed that the 15 richest CEOs in South Africa took home an average of R49-million a year.
“But the mines refuse to pay workers at Marikana R12500 a month because they say they don’t have enough money. Is this a fair society?”
He said the killing of miners at Marikana by police and the Nkandla disgrace were two examples of many scandals to befall the current ANC government.
“They are stripping this country and robbing our people. This government is messing things up.”
He urged voters to vote to “stop the rot”.
“Don’t stay away on election day. Go and make your cross. But vote to give the ANC a shock and don’t put your cross against the face of Jacob Zuma’s ANC.”
He rejected a suggestion that the “Sidikiwe! Vukani! Vote No! Campaign” might be an indication he supported any other particular political party.
“There are no other agendas. I love the ANC and the SACP but I am not happy with either.”
Kasrils admitted the harsh words from his former comrades had “hit him”.
Over the past week since the launch of the campaign, ANC heavyweights have referred to Kasils as reckless, a counter-revolutionary, a reactionary, and a “factory fault”.
But, he said he had a thick skin.
“For them to descend to such low levels shows they are running away from the substantive issues we are raising. The fact that they are stooping to name-calling proves their moral bankruptcy.”
Kasrils: ANC stripping, robbing SA
Kasrils yesterday told a Heroes Day public debate in Grahamstown they should vote for any other political party except the ANC or Democratic Alliance – or spoil their vote.
But he said in response to sharp criticism from the floor that if there had been any chance the ANC would lose power in next week’s elections, he would never have embarked on the campaign to encourage people not to vote for his beloved party.
However, he said he was confident the ANC would retain a majority of more than 59%.
“We are saying don’t vote for the ANC because we need to bring down the (ANC’s) majority. The message to the government must be clear. Stop corruption, pull up your socks and serve the people, not yourselves.”
The only way to do this was to spoil votes or vote for one of the smaller parties that people felt might have the integrity to stop corruption.
“My whole adult life I have served the ANC, the SACP and MK. But I will definitely not vote for the ANC next week,” Kasrils told about 250 people attending the debate in the Grahamstown city hall.
He pointed to recent research that showed that the 15 richest CEOs in South Africa took home an average of R49-million a year.
“But the mines refuse to pay workers at Marikana R12500 a month because they say they don’t have enough money. Is this a fair society?”
He said the killing of miners at Marikana by police and the Nkandla disgrace were two examples of many scandals to befall the current ANC government.
“They are stripping this country and robbing our people. This government is messing things up.”
He urged voters to vote to “stop the rot”.
“Don’t stay away on election day. Go and make your cross. But vote to give the ANC a shock and don’t put your cross against the face of Jacob Zuma’s ANC.”
He rejected a suggestion that the “Sidikiwe! Vukani! Vote No! Campaign” might be an indication he supported any other particular political party.
“There are no other agendas. I love the ANC and the SACP but I am not happy with either.”
Kasrils admitted the harsh words from his former comrades had “hit him”.
Over the past week since the launch of the campaign, ANC heavyweights have referred to Kasils as reckless, a counter-revolutionary, a reactionary, and a “factory fault”.
But, he said he had a thick skin.
“For them to descend to such low levels shows they are running away from the substantive issues we are raising. The fact that they are stooping to name-calling proves their moral bankruptcy.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos