The destruction of the Allan Ridge Community Hall in Kamesh, Kariega, Eastern Cape, highlights how urgent action is needed to restore the rule of law in the community, and similar communities across South Africa.
The hall, named after Reverend Allan Hendrickse, was built in 1984 and hosted a number of community functions such as dances and prizegivings, but has been destroyed since the Covid-19 pandemic.
When I visited the hall with ActionSA President, Herman Mashaba, this morning, we were shocked at the extent of the destruction of the historic hall. The hall, which was referred to as the famous “Carnegie Hall” of the Eastern Cape is an empty shell of its former glory and is emblematic of the breakdown of the rule of law in communities across South Africa under the ruling party.
The Kamesh Police station, which is located across the road from the hall, has apparently done nothing to stop the vandalism of the hall, leaving the community defenceless to drug users, former convicts and criminals who destroyed and stripped the hall to sell to scrap yards. Repeated promises by politicians to fix the hall have also yielded no results. In fact, even the sports facility adjacent to the destroyed community centre has been totally vandalised.
One of ActionSA’s core values at formation three years ago was ethical leadership and to restore the rule of law in communities in the Eastern Cape and across South Africa, we must restore ethical leadership in our communities. Our communities need to take ownership and civic responsibility for public property and protect it from criminal elements such as those that have destroyed the Allan Ridge Community Hall.
Our policy on Law and Order, adopted at our inaugural policy conference in September, is clear that to restore the rule of law, we must ensure that our police and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are independent of political interference. When ActionSA are elected to government, we will also abolish parole for serious crimes such as rape and murder to ensure that a life sentence means a lifetime in prison.
Prisoners will also contribute to society by working on State owned farms or on public-related projects. Our borders will be secured, and people will only be allowed to enter the country legally and they must adhere to our laws. Those found guilty of breaking our laws will be prosecuted and deported.
ActionSA believes that the rule of law can be restored in South Africa, but that would require voters to take action in the upcoming elections to remove the ruling party from power. For too long, the ruling party has allowed South Africa to descend into lawlessness, and ActionSA is committed to turning it around.
Destruction of Kariega’s Allan Ridge Community Hall: Drastic Action Needed to Restore the Rule of Law
The destruction of the Allan Ridge Community Hall in Kamesh, Kariega, Eastern Cape, highlights how urgent action is needed to restore the rule of law in the community, and similar communities across South Africa.
The hall, named after Reverend Allan Hendrickse, was built in 1984 and hosted a number of community functions such as dances and prizegivings, but has been destroyed since the Covid-19 pandemic.
When I visited the hall with ActionSA President, Herman Mashaba, this morning, we were shocked at the extent of the destruction of the historic hall. The hall, which was referred to as the famous “Carnegie Hall” of the Eastern Cape is an empty shell of its former glory and is emblematic of the breakdown of the rule of law in communities across South Africa under the ruling party.
The Kamesh Police station, which is located across the road from the hall, has apparently done nothing to stop the vandalism of the hall, leaving the community defenceless to drug users, former convicts and criminals who destroyed and stripped the hall to sell to scrap yards. Repeated promises by politicians to fix the hall have also yielded no results. In fact, even the sports facility adjacent to the destroyed community centre has been totally vandalised.
One of ActionSA’s core values at formation three years ago was ethical leadership and to restore the rule of law in communities in the Eastern Cape and across South Africa, we must restore ethical leadership in our communities. Our communities need to take ownership and civic responsibility for public property and protect it from criminal elements such as those that have destroyed the Allan Ridge Community Hall.
Our policy on Law and Order, adopted at our inaugural policy conference in September, is clear that to restore the rule of law, we must ensure that our police and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are independent of political interference. When ActionSA are elected to government, we will also abolish parole for serious crimes such as rape and murder to ensure that a life sentence means a lifetime in prison.
Prisoners will also contribute to society by working on State owned farms or on public-related projects. Our borders will be secured, and people will only be allowed to enter the country legally and they must adhere to our laws. Those found guilty of breaking our laws will be prosecuted and deported.
ActionSA believes that the rule of law can be restored in South Africa, but that would require voters to take action in the upcoming elections to remove the ruling party from power. For too long, the ruling party has allowed South Africa to descend into lawlessness, and ActionSA is committed to turning it around.