[DEBATE] : [Anc-media] Advisory: Deployment of ANC leadership to address violence

[Russell]

Jokes aside, the incoherence of current political leadership at state level
represents a serious threat to our relatively fragile democracy. Looting and
mayhem demand pretty radical measures, but in this case, inviting the kind
of state repression needed to stop it seems to open up an even worse
scenario. Remember what happened when the SANDF went into Maseru, or even
worse, the disastrous and disorganized - what did they call it - 'National
Peace-Keeping Force' of the early 90s? 

Popularly-based structures that could actively deal with trouble on the
ground have, in many cases, been demobilized (deliberately) for far too long
to be useful, or, as in the case of SANCO, turned into BEE vehicles. As
Blade and others have pointed out, we need to examine carefully what remains
and ensure that it is consolidated and reorganized where necessary. In the
way that the most senior Chinese leaders have been at the forefront of
rescue measures after their earthquake disaster, leadership must be seen to
be actively leading *on the ground* or get out of the way. 

Neo-liberal government structures have reduced public order machinery to the
kind of privatized apparatus that guards gated communities and ministerial
compounds. I don't think that ministers even leave it to the SAPS to guard
their mansions any longer. 

I was struck by how far public institutions of (admittedly apartheid) days
of old have been left to rot when I picked up my kid at 7am this morning at
East London Railway Station on his return from a school trip. In the main
station of one of the biggest SA cities, pedestrian bridges are rusted and
rotten and festooned with razor-wire; benches are broken. Piles of bricks
and sand with grass sprouting from it litter the platform. Broken armchairs
lie about. And the walls are festooned with religious revival posters: the
only apparent refuge in this heartless urban environment. What has been
allowed by our government to happen to public spaces and institutions is
intolerable. And this is in the 'city centre'. But then these days it's
mostly used by commuting workers for whom city and national government
clearly have scant respect.  

-----Original Message-----
From: debate-bounces at debate.kabissa.org
[mailto:debate-bounces at debate.kabissa.org] On Behalf Of Dominic Tweedie
Sent: 25 May 2008 09:32 AM
To: debate: SA discussion list
Subject: Re: [DEBATE] : [Anc-media] Advisory: Deployment of ANC leadership
to address violence

You mean the stinking shit, don't you, Russell, in this case? The rat
leaving the stinking shit.