Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
26 January 2024 | 14:19 p.m. CAT
2-min read

In this week’s edition of the Auwal Socio-economic Research Institute (ASRI) Report on Radio Islam International, Angelo Fick discusses: revelations in the Marshalltown inquiry, the extent to which MKP affects the ANC’s support and the impending ICJ preliminary ruling at The Hague.

 A witness in the Marshalltown Fire Inquiry has confessed to setting the blaze and revealed criminal activities that were going on in the building, leading to his arrest.

The witness reportedly disclosed involvement in drug trading, extortion, and other violent activities within the building. The incident, involving public property owned by the city government, has prompted scrutiny into the city’s management of its extensive property portfolio, with reports suggesting similar issues in numerous other city-owned buildings.

Fick, Director of research at ASRI, emphasised concerns about the effectiveness of police investigations, crime intelligence, and the accountability of officials overseeing Johannesburg’s property company, housing, and public safety.

“The police need to account for why their investigation showed up so little compared to what the witness is telling us,” Fick said.

The situation points to a larger problem of mismanagement within the city, calling for transparency and accountability from the responsible authorities.

As the investigation unfolds, questions persist about the timing and nature of the witness’s confession, prompting scepticism and the need for a thorough examination of the police’s role in the case.

The interview also covered the challenges faced by the ANC, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, where the MK party, supported by former President Jacob Zuma, has gained prominence.

The focus on KwaZulu-Natal, a province witnessing significant electoral decline for the ANC, raises concerns about the potential impact on the upcoming general elections.

The interview explored whether MK is a haven for the disaffected or a growing force with implications beyond the current election.

“As for whether it is just a haven for the disaffected, given the prominence of some of the people who end up in the party, given some of the statements made by MK, and given what Jacob Zuma himself has said about his relationship with MK and with the ANC, there does seem to be a kind of shedding of individuals into split-off parties,” Fick said.

Additionally, Fick analysed the ANC’s decision to postpone disciplining Jacob Zuma until after the elections. The move was described as an older tactic employed by the ANC to avoid outright conflict with senior party members. However, concerns were raised about the efficacy of such strategies, especially considering the historical challenges associated with managing internal party issues.

The interview concluded with a discussion on the imminent ICJ findings on South Africa’s application regarding Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Fick highlighted the potential local political consequences, irrespective of the ICJ’s outcome. The varying positions of South African political parties on the matter could influence voter perceptions in an election year, exposing the divide between global events and domestic political considerations.

“[The ICJ ruling] will show up the increasing divide between what’s happened and what people feel on the ground, and what their governors are suggesting is the way foreward, and also the gap between the majority of the world’s population and the international instruments that are supposed to govern international law,” Fick said.

Listen to the ASRI Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.