This comes after the party’s top six officials received a
briefing from health minister Zweli Mkhize on the Covid-19 second wave of
infections.
The ANC last week controversially decided to go ahead with
its January 8 celebrations, despite surging Covid-19 cases in SA.
The party’s deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte on
Monday wrote to the national executive committee (NEC) members informing them
of the decision to cancel the annual rally.
The party was to host its supporters in various
celebrations with the main event in Limpopo, where President Cyril Ramaphosa
was due to deliver the January 8 statement.
Duarte had earlier defended the decision, telling the
Sunday Times that the party would not be holding any rallies as per usual and
that only 100 people would be allowed into the venue in Seleteng at
Ga-Mphahlele in Limpopo.
“Dear comrades, please be advised that after the national
officials received a briefing this morning from comrade Zwelini Mkhize, and are
concerned with the rapid proliferation of infections countrywide, the prognosis
is not good,” Duarte wrote to NEC members.
“The national officials have taken a decision to cancel all
January 8 celebrations countrywide.”She said Ramaphosa would still deliver the
January 8 statement but this would be done digitally.
Duarte said as a leader of society the ANC had to lead by
example.
The Sunday Times reported the party does not have a good
record when it comes to crowd control. It had to issue an apology in August
when more than 200 people flocked to the funeral service of party veteran
Andrew Mlangeni. Regulations at that time allowed only 50 people to attend a
funeral.
January 8 celebrations are known to attract a large crowd
of party members, supporters and onlookers who want a glimpse of party leaders.
TimesLIVE
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