Writes Dennis Bloem
Spokesperson for
Activists and Citizens Forum
The plight and suffering of ex-political detainees continue without any hope. These ex-political detainees and their families are facing yet another bleak Christmas.
For the past 29 years, the ANC government has made empty promises several times that they will address the plight of the thousands of ex-political detainees , but nothing came from all those promises.
Activists and Citizens Forum says it is a shame and totally disgusting that people who have put their lives in danger to fight for the freedom of the people and our country are turned into beggars by their own government.
We will always remind this government that they are in power today because of the selfless sacrifices of thousands of young men and women who fought the Apartheid regime. Many were not so lucky to escape the brutal force of the Vlaakplaas death squad sanctioned by the apartheid regime, and those who were lucky and escaped death landed in prison.
Thousands of these young freedom fighters were forced to leave school at a very young age because of detention without trial, some spent years behind bars under the then so-called security laws, without being charged for any offence.
It is very sad and painful to see how the majority of these freedom fighters are struggling to make ends meet. The majority of them are unemployed. Many of them don’t even have a roof over their heads. Many are going to bed on empty stomachs.
We must tell president Ramaphosa and his government that it is an insult to the ex-political detainees that convicted murderer Eugene De Kock received special five star treatment that he doesn’t deserve above ex-political detainees, a murderer who had killed many freedom fighters.
We are calling on president Ramaphosa and all ministers when they and their families are enjoying expensive Christmas meals, just keep in mind that there are freedom fighters who have nothing in their cupboards and fridges.