SA needs change in govt, not 'strong opposition': ACDP

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa needed to stop talking about a strong opposition and rather start talking about replacing government, the ACDP said on Friday.

"If we want to have a better South Africa, talking about what happened 20 years ago is not going to provide jobs," the party in a statement.

People must not vote our of loyalty to a party but must consider the best option to give them hope for a better future.

African Christian Democratic Party leader Kenneth Meshoe, speaking to supporters in KwaMakhuta in Amanzimtoti on Friday, Human Rights Day, accused the ANC of failing to fight corruption.

This impacted upon people&39;s human rights as it robbed them of vital services.

Government were also not dealing with issues like human and drug trafficking, and drug addiction with many officials on the pay roll of "gangsters".

The ACDP said, "Gangs are targeting young children and robbing them of their safety, security and hope for a future.

"How can learners concentrate when there are gun shots outside their class rooms, when they are being recruited by gangs?"

Meshoe said if there were ever allegations of ACDP public office bearers being on the pay roll of criminals, they would be investigated, and if found guilty, fired and handed over to the police.

South Africans needed to roll up their sleeves and work hard to start building the government South Africa so desperately needed and desired.

Human Rights Day is celebrated on March 21 in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which took place on March 21, 1960.

The massacre occurred at the Sharpeville police station in the Vaal, south of Gauteng. Black South Africans were protesting against the pass laws, led by the PAC.

A crowd of about 5,000 to 7,000 protesters went to the police station. Police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people.