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This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

ANC distances itself from MK protesters

by Ndivhuwo Musetha

THOHOYANDOU - The African National Congress (ANC) has distanced itself from the former Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) members, who have been engaged on a sit-in in the ANC regional offices, demanding their reincorporation into the South African National Defence Force.

Sixteen former MK members have been engaged in a sit-in since May 9, protesting against the slow process of their reincorporation into the SANDF.

Speaking from the ANC provincial offices this week, the general secretary of the party in the province, Mr Benny Boshielo, could not hide his shock to learn that the protesters were still invading the offices. "Are they still there? As far as I am concerned, it is illegal for them to occupy our offices. I called the police to chase them from our offices, and I don't know why they are still there. If they are really our members, they should follow the correct channels," he said.

The leader of the group, Mr Thifhelimbilu Simon Lambani said there is no way they will leave the office, unless the ANC attend to their problem. He said they have been waiting for incorporation since 1994. He blamed the regional office for failing to do their duty of processing their applications. He also urged the regional and provincial offices to speed up the process.

"We do not want a situation where we must act out of frustration to make ourselves heard. We want the regional office to act accordingly, so that they do not spoil the good name of our organisation that we have fought for".

Lambani said that they have been patiently waiting, but nobody is prepared to help them. He accused Mr Boshielo of dropping the phone whenever they try to contact him. "He promised to give us jobs within two weeks, and after eight months nothing had happened yet. Whenever we approach him, he tells us to stop complaining".

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