President De Lille slams ‘violent police action against those who demand their constitutional rights’
24-07-2007, 09H00, ID President Patricia de Lille says yesterday’s service delivery protest in Kliptown, Soweto, ‘is just one of an increasing number of riots that should be a warning to Government that the people are losing patience.
‘The people understand our history and the backlog of service delivery,
but they are no longer prepared to accept that we don’t have money to
deliver.
‘We do have the resources, but we do not have our priorities right,’ says De Lille.
She has lashed out at what she calls ‘the violent police action against those who demand their constitutional rights.
‘I am shocked when I see innocent Soweto residents tear-gassed and shot. Whilst I believe that everyone must respect the law of the land, I can understand the frustration and anger of our people,’ says President De Lille.
‘Government must surely understand that the people have waited long enough for delivery on promises that have amounted to nothing.’
She predicted a few weeks ago at the ID National Congress that ‘we are on the verge of a massive uprising by decent people who see no action from the State.’
‘The Government should be ashamed that the very masses that fought for freedom and elected it are now being shot at with rubber bullets and tear gassed.
‘I fought hard with our brothers and sisters for freedom of speech, freedom of expression and the right to protest. I now realise that the struggle is not yet over.
‘After 13 years of democracy there is an urgent need for us to protect the gains of the struggle and provide South Africans with a new and positive vision.
‘A vision that will one day bring about economic freedom for our people and bridge the divides between rich and poor, and a vision that will one day provide a decent house for all South Africans, with affordable basic services.
‘This reminds me of the days of Apartheid when I had to duck rubber bullets from the ruthless security branch and Riot Squad,’ De Lille says.
‘I call on the ANC to respect the rights and dignity of our people as contained in the Freedom Charter, which is losing relevance daily.
‘If this is the ANC’s idea of a better life for all, then it is clear that it applies only to its leadership and their cronies,’ says President De Lille.
Released by ID President Patricia de Lille – 084 777 2065
Issued by the ID Media Office
Steven Otter – 084 233 3811
‘We do have the resources, but we do not have our priorities right,’ says De Lille.
She has lashed out at what she calls ‘the violent police action against those who demand their constitutional rights.
‘I am shocked when I see innocent Soweto residents tear-gassed and shot. Whilst I believe that everyone must respect the law of the land, I can understand the frustration and anger of our people,’ says President De Lille.
‘Government must surely understand that the people have waited long enough for delivery on promises that have amounted to nothing.’
She predicted a few weeks ago at the ID National Congress that ‘we are on the verge of a massive uprising by decent people who see no action from the State.’
‘The Government should be ashamed that the very masses that fought for freedom and elected it are now being shot at with rubber bullets and tear gassed.
‘I fought hard with our brothers and sisters for freedom of speech, freedom of expression and the right to protest. I now realise that the struggle is not yet over.
‘After 13 years of democracy there is an urgent need for us to protect the gains of the struggle and provide South Africans with a new and positive vision.
‘A vision that will one day bring about economic freedom for our people and bridge the divides between rich and poor, and a vision that will one day provide a decent house for all South Africans, with affordable basic services.
‘This reminds me of the days of Apartheid when I had to duck rubber bullets from the ruthless security branch and Riot Squad,’ De Lille says.
‘I call on the ANC to respect the rights and dignity of our people as contained in the Freedom Charter, which is losing relevance daily.
‘If this is the ANC’s idea of a better life for all, then it is clear that it applies only to its leadership and their cronies,’ says President De Lille.
Released by ID President Patricia de Lille – 084 777 2065
Issued by the ID Media Office
Steven Otter – 084 233 3811
