African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula expressed the party’s condemnation of “genocidal actions” by Israel against Palestinian civilians, following the bombing of a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday.

The ANC is calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and The International Court of Justice to act to address what the party calls “genocidal crimes”. 

Addressing the media following the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, he announced that the party would work with NGOs and faith-based organisations for the formation of a global anti-apartheid movement against Israel. 

Mbalula said the party further characterised the “inhuman call by Israel” for one-million Palestinians to evacuate and desert their homes as “deeply concerning”. 

"The affected Palestinians have no safe refuge, effectively becoming trapped and vulnerable akin to mice in a corner ready for a slaughter. The NEC believes such a call is equivalent to an announcement of genocide, as it is very impractical, particularly noting that amongst the people to be moved out of this part of Gaza are patients admitted to hospitals, children and the elderly. The ANC strongly condemns the genocidal crimes that took place yesterday in the Gaza strip wherein a hospital was bombed," he expressed. 

The ANC NEC further adopted a comprehensive solidarity programme with the people of Palestine "to bring about their right to self-determination and push for a genuine resumption of peace talks towards a lasting and just solution".

Elements of the solidarity programme included a Palestine Solidarity March on Friday to the Israeli Embassy, in Tshwane, and demands that the ICC investigate and report the cases of Israeli crimes against humanity.

"We call upon the International Court of Justice to accelerate the issuing of its advisory opinion on the conduct of the Israeli State against the Palestinian people," he stressed. 

The ANC further wants a meeting with the South African Board of Jewish Deputies to engage on the current situation and the position taken by the ANC NEC. 

LOADSHEDDING

Also discussed at the NEC meeting were issues closer to home, including the ongoing loadshedding affecting households and businesses, and tepid economic growth and stalled development.

Mbalula said that the NEC acknowledged that the appointment of a dedicated Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, was beginning to pay dividends as there was now a precise schedule to increase the energy availability factor of all power stations. 

Mbalula said loadshedding was beginning to ease, as two units at Kusile power station would take power to the grid from the power station to 3 000 MW.

On the distribution of electricity in municipalities, Mbalula said the NEC noted with “grave concern” the vandalism and theft of transformers in Soweto, Sedibeng and many other areas in and around Gauteng, which had resulted in blackouts affecting thousands of households.

The NEC believes that over several years the introduction of the Electricity Amendment Bill will help further consolidate electricity distribution. 

He said the ANC welcomed the latest report that Eskom, together with the Gauteng provincial government, was able to replace more than 40 transformers.

The NEC called for the accelerated replacement of transformers and called on the South African Police Service to formulate a programme to secure all transformers and other infrastructure at risk of similar theft and vandalism. 

WATER AND SANITATION 

The NEC received account of measures to address water and sanitation delivery across the country. 

"We are encouraged by the positive developments of progress made as far as the water provision is concerned,” Mbalula said.

Recently, many parts of Gauteng went without water for days and weeks, resulting in Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu announcing that water-shifting would be implemented as an immediate mechanism. 

Mbalula said South Africa was not facing any imminent crisis in the provision of safe drinking water.   

He said the ANC NEC wanted government to assist and intervene in municipalities with water and sanitation challenges.