We have signed a Multi-Party Charter, formed by opposition parties that agree that South Africa needs a viable alternative to the ANC government which has ruined this country.

The ACDP has a reputation for being one of the most stable and consistent partners within government structures and coalitions. This is because we have always believed in governance established on the principles of integrity, trust and respect.

The ACDP extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Springboks on their nail-biting 29-28 victory over France in Paris last night. We look forward to another amazing match in the Boks’ semi-final game against England this coming Saturday.

The ACDP welcomes the visit by the MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight, Mr Reagen Allen, and the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele, in response to our request to intervene and assist the community of Hanover Park who have had to endure constant shootings and gang violence over the last few weeks.

The ACDP is shocked at today’s unprovoked rocket and land attacks by Hamas against Israel, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 100 Israelis, with more than 900 Israelis injured (with the numbers expected to increase). Thousands of rockets were fired from Gaza at Israeli towns and several towns were infiltrated and attacked by Hamas.

The ACDP strongly condemns the murder of Prophet Dwayne Gordon, who was a guest speaker at Eagles Christian Centre in Newlands, Johannesburg. It is alleged that about six armed men burst into the church service, opening fire on the congregation. Members of the church were robbed of their belongings, three were wounded and Prophet Gordan succumbed to his gunshot wounds.

When the Moon-Shot Pact was announced, the ACDP expressed its concerns, one of which was the lack of consultation with other opposition parties. Nonetheless, we attended the Pact meetings as observers, making it clear from the outset that, in our opinion, any coalition agreements prior to an election, would not only be premature, but also presumptuous.

The ACDP views the decision by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa to label Israel an ‘Apartheid State’ as shocking, shortsighted, and disappointing. “Archbishop Thabo Mokgoba knows that the Church is given a ministry of reconciliation, and thus, to be a credible facilitator of reconciliation, one has to be objective and not take sides with any of the parties in conflict.”

The ACDP says that the City of Cape Town and Cape Winelands municipalities must properly attend to the concerns and challenges of communities in the Helderberg who were seriously affected by the recent flooding with urgency.

The ACDP wishes to convey their heartfelt condolences to the family, particularly the children and grandchildren, of the late Founder of the KwaSizabantu Mission, the Reverend Erlo Stegen, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 88. His passing leaves a great void. We have lost a ‘giant’ and an Apostle in the Faith.

The ACDP has rejected the adoption of the BELA Bill in a meeting of Parliament’s PC on Basic Education. It is our contention that this legislation fails to address the necessary reform needed in education. The Bill is a patch job that creates more jobs for bureaucrats that will not necessarily address the needs of children – especially children in rural areas and towns whose small schools are under threat of closure.

The ACDP notes with serious concern the developments in the Namakhoi Municipality where a joint operation, earlier this week, between the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service saw hundreds of illegal foreign miners removed from the Kleinsee area.