Statement of the ANC Caucus Meeting
21 September 2006
On Constituency Period
The ANC Parliamentary Caucus held its regular weekly Caucus meeting today to discuss a number of issues and challenges facing the organisation in Parliament. The meeting is the last before Members of Parliament depart for a two week constituency work in various communities they represent across the country. It also served as a continuation of the special meeting held on Tuesday, September 19, 2006.
Constituency periods are integral features of parliamentary programme that affords MPs an opportunity to update their constituencies on Parliament's legislative outcomes and assist in the advancement of government's service delivery through an interactive oversight process.
At the conclusion of the constituency period ANC Members of Parliament will account to Caucus on their activities during the period in form of a detailed report. The Caucus meeting wished all Members well during their work with communities.
Government's management of HIV and Aids
Caucus received an input on the government's management of HIV and Aids pandemic from the Chairperson of the Study Group on Health, James Ngculu. This comes amid regrettable vicious and concerted attacks against the Minister of Health relating to government's policy on the management of HIV and AIDS.
Caucus reaffirmed its support for the government's approach in dealing with the epidemic. The challenges posed by the epidemic cannot be attributed to any individual or the Minister of health. Any such attempts would be tantamount to cheap point scoring and trivialisation.
The consolidation of partnerships remains a vital tool in the common fight against the pandemic. Accordingly we call on all stakeholders in the sector to strengthen partnerships and the catalystic role of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC).
On the High Court ruling
We welcome the decision by the Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Herbert Msimang to strike off the court roll the case against the Deputy President of the ANC, Jacob Zuma. We regret the burden the matter has brought to the Deputy President in particular and the movement in general.
The High Court ruling is a clear vindication of our belief in the principle of innocence until proven otherwise. We urge all South Africans to respect the judgment.
Issued by the ANC Parliamentary Caucus
Contact: Mpho Lekgoro (Spokesperson) @ 082 413 4908
Moloto Mothapo Head of Media & Communications
ANC Parliamentary Caucus, Cape Town
021 403 3784 / 082 370 6930
momothapo@parliament.gov.za
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