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Vice President David Mabuza (Photo by Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)
- The government was deeply disturbed by the recent events in Senekal, Vice President David Mabuza told the NCOP.
- He said that if socioeconomic disparities persisted, national unity would be postponed.
- If land justice is not addressed, friction in farming communities will continue, Mabuza added.
The government was “deeply disturbed” by the recent events in Senekal, as well as the “degeneration into a policy of divisive and race-hostile populism,” Vice President David Mabuza told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday.
Referring to Senekal, ANC deputy Nokuzola Ndongeni asked if the implementation of some social cohesion activity would help calm the high level of emotions.
This after protests over the murder of farm manager Brendin Turner and public violence outside the courtroom where his alleged killers appeared.
Mabuza said the events in Senekal were an indication that the goal of building a non-racial country with unity through cultural diversity would remain deferred until socioeconomic disparities are addressed.
“That is why we reiterate the importance of working firmly to address the prevailing inequalities, because, if these inequalities are structurally deep, they can lead to serious polarization that, in turn, will translate into social and political instability,” he added.
“As long as there are deep inequalities, whether as a result of wealth or income disparities, or extreme poverty, the mere hosting of cultural events will not produce a cohesive society.”
Mabuza said that the divisions were filled with hopelessness, so that social cohesion depended on the minimization of economic inequalities.
To respond sustainably to events such as Senekal’s, he added that the country must focus on the consensus of values that shaped our nation, ensuring that we work towards economic inclusion and collective action to solve the social problems facing the nation. .
“We must confront the historical injustices that continue to threaten our peace and stability to enable us to move forward as one people, one nation and one South Africa.”
He continued:
“We maintain that if we do not address the issue of territorial justice, we will be helping to cultivate the inevitable social friction that would push us back rather than launch ourselves into a prosperous and shared future.”
EFF MP Mmabatho Mokause asked what the government was doing about the brutality inflicted on black peasants by white farmers.
Mabuza said the government had noticed there were problems in the farming community, adding that it had formed a committee, which included Police Minister Bheki Cele, that would visit all areas where there were “frictions.”
Mokause did not like this answer and accused him of being afraid to face “white arrogance”.
NCOP President Amos Masondo said it was not a point of order.
Mokause also complained of “white arrogance” when FF Plus MP Armand Cloete and DA whip at NCOP Cathlene Labuschagne asked questions.
“We will not allow white arrogance!” he said while Labuschagne had the virtual word.
“Who the hell are you, Mokause?” an anonymous deputy answered.
Mabuza warned:
“We must be careful not to bring the sentiment of Senekal into this house.”
Cloete warned of inflammatory remarks and said a spokesman for the ANC Youth League in the Free State said whites should leave South Africa. He asked if Mabuza would act against members of his party who incited violence.
“I think we must take collective responsibility,” Mabuza said, adding that it was his responsibility to emphasize to the youth in the ANC that it was a non-racial organization.
“We don’t really consider color in the ANC,” he said.
“We must all condemn racism. We must all condemn violence.
“Yes, we condemn and take a very dark view of all the statements that seek to divide this nation.”
Labuschagne said Cele and State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo were seen sitting comfortable with EFF leader Julius Malema in the Senekal courtroom, and asked Mabuza if he thought this sent the “right picture. “.
Mabuza said Malema, Dlodlo and Cele were colleagues in the National Assembly.
“I don’t think you should worry about them sitting together.”
At the conclusion of the procedure, Masondo said: “We have a responsibility to act in a way that ensures greater cohesion.”
