FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

17 OCTOBER 2016
STATEMENT OF THE ANC ON REMARKS ATTRIBUTED TO ANC YOUTH LEAGUE
PRESIDENT CDE COLLEN MAINE
The African National Congress (ANC) has noted comments attributed to ANC Youth
League President, Comrade Collen Maine, calling on uMkontho weSizwe Military
Veterans Association (MKMVA) to take up arms in defence of the President of the ANC,
Comrade Jacob Zuma.
The ANC views these utterances as unfortunate, irresponsible and reckless. The
freedom, peace and stability we enjoy in South Africa today came at a price. Amongst
those freedoms, is the right to freedom of expression, which does not extend to
inflammatory remarks such as those made by the Youth League President and should
never be allowed to find space in our democratic society.
Challenges facing society should at all times be resolved on the basis of platforms of coexistence agreed to by South Africans, which include amongst them the checks and
balances between the branches of government, our Chapter 9 institutions which support
constitutional democracy, law enforcement agencies etc. Current challenges facing
South Africa require reasoned, cogent and decisive leadership, not provocative and
demagogic talk. Accordingly, the ANC has instructed the ANC Youth League President to
retract these comments.
President Zuma is the democratically elected leader of our country, with more than 11
million South Africans having affirmed him as leader of our government in the recently
held General Elections in 2014. He continues to enjoy overwhelming support from the
majority of members of the ANC and society at large.

Issued by
Zizi Kodwa
National Spokesperson
African National Congress

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