Anglican Communion News Service

Chairperson of the Inter-Religious Commission on Crime and Violence in the Western Cape

Archbishop Ndungane, as chairperson of the Electoral Code of Conduct Observer Commission (ECCOC), hosted a meeting between senior members of the ANC and UDM leadership in the Western Cape.

The main purpose of the meeting was for the political leadership of the two parties to explore ways in which they could work together to ease tensions during the electioneering period. This mutual co-operation between the leadership of the two parties would go a long way in setting a good example for their members to follow, thereby creating a peaceful environment wherein free and fair elections can take place.

The leadership re-committed themselves to the Electoral Code of Conduct pledge signed on 1 August 2000. In addition they agreed to the following:

• Persons were free to attend any political rally. The UDM would discourage its members from attending ANC meetings. The ANC in turn would discourage its members from attending UDM member meetings but not UDM public meetings. Both parties would further instruct its members to behave responsibly and non-confrontationally.

• The use of insulting language and rhetoric towards leaders, verbally or in printed form, is irresponsible and unacceptable but that the criticising of each other’s policies would be tolerated provided it did not lead to the insult of persons.

• Disruptions of political meetings were unacceptable and had to be avoided.

• Political parties and their members have the right to fair canvassing for votes and to organize in any area, and that venues be made accessible to all parties.

• The two provincial secretaries would be in direct contact should things be seen to be getting out of control. In addition, the two provincial leaders also committed themselves to finding ways of maintaining open lines of communication between the two of them.

• Both parties would inform the IEC of their planned public meetings so that monitoring mechanisms can be put in place early on.

• A greater effort needs to be made to act with political maturity in volatile areas.

• Not to issue public statements without established, concrete evidence of the causes of violence.

• To inform their members of these agreements.