SABC

Deputy police minister and ANC National Executive Committee member, Fikile Mbalula, has strongly condemned the killing of farm workers. Addressing a packed hall at Phase Four in Bloemfontein last night, Mbalula urged law enforcement agencies to act harshly against those involved.

The deputy minister promised tough action against perpetrators of farm killings. He says the South African Police Services will arrest those involved without fear or favour.

He also rallied behind ANC Youth League president Julius Malema saying no one can prescribe what freedom songs should be sung as they are part of South Africa's painful history. He added that the songs are not being sung to incite violence and it is unfortunate that they will remain a part of South Africa's democratisation process.

Mbalula also took the opportunity to accuse the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) of having hijacked the 1956 anti-pass march at Sharperville. He said the ANC had already planned for the march but the PAC surpassed the plans and marched before the ANC could actualise the march. He said South Africa’s struggle icon Nelson Mandela had also written about how the PAC hijacked the march.

Mbalula said they are not opposed to lifestyle audits, but should be done according to the law and not target certain individuals. He emphasised the need for journalists to be subjected to these audits if the need arises.