Minister chides Kasrils over ballot-spoiling call
by Karl Gernetzky and Natasha Marrian,
2014-04-15 07:30:52.0
THE government has taken a hard-line stance against former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils who is calling for South African voters to spoil their ballots in protest, on Monday describing the move as "treacherous and irresponsible".
Mr Kasrils is scheduled to launch a campaign on Tuesday pushing for voters to "vote tactically" against the ruling African National Congress (ANC) or spoil ballots if they believed political parties did not represent South Africa’s national interest.
The move comes amid high political temperatures ahead of the May 7 national elections, and the release of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on security upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence, service delivery protests and intense campaigning by old and new parties.
The initiative by Mr Kasrils is similar to a proposal in documents by the Awethu platform, a group of nongovernmental organisations demanding social justice.
Mr Kasrils has admitted that he had not renewed his ANC membership since his resignation from government after the recall of former president Thabo Mbeki in 2008.
Instead he was calling on those who were unhappy with the status quo to "challenge the huge power and hold of the ANC over the electorate" by spoiling their ballot paper by writing "no" across the ballot paper, or by voting "tactically" for another party.
Speaking at a briefing by ministers from the justice, crime prevention and security cluster on Monday, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula described his call as a "betrayal against everything we fought for in this country".
She said the past 20 years had been spent educating citizens on the value and importance of voting.
Mr Kasrils, on the other hand, believes the ruling party had "moved away from its founding principles".
"The arrogance that pervades and I see at this stage that they forgot the objectives of the movement," he said on Monday.
Mr Kasrils said the ANC’s protecting Mr Zuma after the Nkandla report showed the party’s leadership was "not serving the people".
"We are saying to people that they must not stay away from the polling booth.
"We say do not abstain. But there is nothing wrong in spoiling a ballot if you believe that none of the parties on the ballot serve the interests of the country," Mr Kasrils said.
State ministers from the security cluster made assurances that the government had made all the necessary preparations to ensure a secure, credible and free election.
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel would be on standby on May 7, while the police would increase presence in politically sensitive areas to ensure smooth running at election stations.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said areas with "hot spots" showing risk of political violence and intimidation had been identified.
The interministerial committee would begin visits in these troubled areas this week to meet residents.
Mr Mthethwa said the security cluster had conducted threat assessments for such hot spots to determine the deployment of personnel.
Ms Mapisa-Nqakula declined to elaborate on how many SANDF personnel would be on standby to assist police if necessary during the election, but said "it is safe to say adequate preparations will be made."
Along with possible support to the police, the SANDF would also serve its role in assisting the Electoral Commission, she said.
Ronnie Kasrils. Picture: SUNDAY TIMES
THE government has taken a hard-line stance against former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils who is calling for South African voters to spoil their ballots in protest, on Monday describing the move as "treacherous and irresponsible".
Mr Kasrils is scheduled to launch a campaign on Tuesday pushing for voters to "vote tactically" against the ruling African National Congress (ANC) or spoil ballots if they believed political parties did not represent South Africa’s national interest.
The move comes amid high political temperatures ahead of the May 7 national elections, and the release of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on security upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence, service delivery protests and intense campaigning by old and new parties.
The initiative by Mr Kasrils is similar to a proposal in documents by the Awethu platform, a group of nongovernmental organisations demanding social justice.
Mr Kasrils has admitted that he had not renewed his ANC membership since his resignation from government after the recall of former president Thabo Mbeki in 2008.
Instead he was calling on those who were unhappy with the status quo to "challenge the huge power and hold of the ANC over the electorate" by spoiling their ballot paper by writing "no" across the ballot paper, or by voting "tactically" for another party.
Speaking at a briefing by ministers from the justice, crime prevention and security cluster on Monday, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula described his call as a "betrayal against everything we fought for in this country".
She said the past 20 years had been spent educating citizens on the value and importance of voting.
Mr Kasrils, on the other hand, believes the ruling party had "moved away from its founding principles".
"The arrogance that pervades and I see at this stage that they forgot the objectives of the movement," he said on Monday.
Mr Kasrils said the ANC’s protecting Mr Zuma after the Nkandla report showed the party’s leadership was "not serving the people".
"We are saying to people that they must not stay away from the polling booth.
"We say do not abstain. But there is nothing wrong in spoiling a ballot if you believe that none of the parties on the ballot serve the interests of the country," Mr Kasrils said.
State ministers from the security cluster made assurances that the government had made all the necessary preparations to ensure a secure, credible and free election.
South African National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel would be on standby on May 7, while the police would increase presence in politically sensitive areas to ensure smooth running at election stations.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said areas with "hot spots" showing risk of political violence and intimidation had been identified.
The interministerial committee would begin visits in these troubled areas this week to meet residents.
Mr Mthethwa said the security cluster had conducted threat assessments for such hot spots to determine the deployment of personnel.
Ms Mapisa-Nqakula declined to elaborate on how many SANDF personnel would be on standby to assist police if necessary during the election, but said "it is safe to say adequate preparations will be made."
Along with possible support to the police, the SANDF would also serve its role in assisting the Electoral Commission, she said.
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