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The former mayor of the city of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba.
Tebogo Letsie, Gallo Images
- Herman Mashaba launched his new political party, Action SA, virtually on Saturday.
- He called for tough diplomacy against the government of Zimbabwe.
- Mashaba said her new party will also study the judicial review of those convicted of gender violence.
South Africa should adopt tough policies against the Zimbabwe government, including freezing the assets of Zanu-PF leaders in South Africa, said recently launched Action SA party leader Herman Mashaba.
He launched his party virtually on Saturday, outlining the party’s manifesto and taking a hard line against illegal immigrants.
Mashaba, who was criticized for his remarks as the mayor of Johannesburg against foreign nationals, said he was not xenophobic.
He said that South Africa could not meet the expectations of citizens of other nations who were also here illegally.
“We have the right and the legal obligation to our citizens to determine who can enter our country and for what reason. These are not just our laws, but the laws of the majority of the self-respecting nations in the world. I am against xenophobia and there is no place for this or any kind of hatred in our party or in our country.
“So let me be clear, we want the people of the world to come to South Africa to work, vacation and invest. But, when people enter South Africa, they must meet two very reasonable requirements. First, they must enter our country legally and Second, they must obey our laws once here. This should not be negotiable. ”
READ | Mashaba launches new political party, ropes on former ANC leaders
Mashaba also focused her speech on the Zimbabwe crisis and said it was time for a new approach.
He wants tough diplomacy, suggesting that the government adopt the strongest and toughest policies against an “oppressive” government, without punishing the people of Zimbabwe.
He said:
This should start by freezing the assets of the Zanu-PF leaders in South Africa and banning them from entering our country until there is real reform in that beloved country. We cannot defend justice, dignity and human rights while ignoring this crisis on the other side of our border.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and SADC leaders have been criticized for failing to act against the Zimbabwe government after journalists and civil society leaders were reportedly jailed.
Feeling the pressure, Ramaphosa sent envoys to engage with the ruling party and opposition parties in August. The trip came under fire after the two envoys, former spokesman Baleka Mbete and Sydney Mufamadi, returned to the country without meeting with key stakeholders.
READ ALSO | It was a waste of jet fuel: Zimbabwean journalist on Ramaphosa special envoys
Mashaba also addressed the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.
“I am tired of the rights of criminals who kill and rape over and over again having a louder voice than the murdered and raped young women who would still be with us today if their killer were not released from prison. Meanwhile, We Believe that private prosecution is the way to go while our criminal justice is still captured. “
The Action SA leader promised that the candidates who participated in the elections would not be chosen behind the scenes by the party. He said that citizens would be elected through a system of direct democracy in the form of primary elections.
Candidates applying to be public servants will campaign in their neighborhoods and members will be asked to vote to elect their candidate in a primary held before Election Day.
“This same system will be used to manage the performance of our public representatives. Those who disappoint them will be replaced. Our public representatives must serve you, the people,” Mashaba added.
