Letters | Political parties are not police

Political thuggery is not law enforcement and South Africans should never be expected to pretend otherwise. Political parties are not law-enforcement agencies and are not empowered to dispense justice, effect arrests, demand documents, check compliance or instruct the shutdown of a business or place of employment. Instead, they are office bearers with oversight powers only, conferred strictly by the rules of the councils, legislatures and Parliament where they serve.

So, when members of a political party barge into your shop, your clinic or workplace, claiming the role of law enforcement or a government compliance unit, you should kick them out. If they refuse to leave, you should call law enforcement, have them removed and lay charges of trespassing and harassment. The MK Party has recently been seen storming KZN healthcare facilities, supermarkets and other businesses.

This under the delusion that it has legal authority to “inspect” and enforce what it claims are labour law violations and/or immigration laws. The party has no jurisdiction, no locus standi in law and no mandate. Its actions are ultra vires, unlawful and political thuggery masquerading as activism.

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KZN cannot be overrun by people dressed in military fatigues, desperately impersonating lawful authorities and threatening the public. This behaviour must not be celebrated. It must be confronted.

These individuals should be charged, not cheered. When complaints are received from lawfully operating healthcare facilities or businesses, SAPS, metro police or relevant local law enforcement agencies must act swiftly and decisively to protect them from the intimidation. Citizens must also know their rights and the limits of the law.

If they do not, the MK Party’s lawlessness will continue unchecked. There must be a firm stand against what is tantamount to criminality, and SAPS must lead when called upon. The Department of Employment and Labour has an enforcement inspectorate.

Let it do its job. Home Affairs knows what is required. Let it perform its duties.

This is not the MK Party’s job. We are a law-abiding nation and our Constitution is the supreme law.

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