The best way to honour slain freedom fighter Anton Fransch, is “to intensify the genuine renewal and rebuilding of the ANC”.
So said ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile during a memorial lecture to commemorate the death of Mr Fransch, who was killed 33 years ago, on November 17, 1989, during what became known as the “Battle of Athlone”.
The 20-year-old Umkhonto we Sizwe commander single-handedly engaged in battle for seven hours with the apartheid government’s security forces at a house in Church Street.
The memorial lecture was held on Saturday November 19 at St Mary of the Angels Catholic Church in Athlone.
Mr Mashatile said: “A renewed ANC is an ANC that is not pre-occupied with itself and its internal dynamics. It is an ANC that is in touch with communities – an ANC that is responsive to the needs of the people. Renewal requires that we deal decisively with the reality that many of our structures are in a poor state. They are focused on internal organisational conflicts, factionalism and furthering the self-interest of individual leaders. They have abandoned the people they are meant to serve. We must reverse this. It is about strengthening the organisational culture, winning the fight against corruption and building an ethical movement.”
Mr Mashatile also called on the government to investigate the circumstances that led to Fransch’s death.
“This was an act of the highest order – an act of fortitude and an act of ultimate sacrifice.This battle is forever etched in our hearts and minds as one of the defining moments in our liberation struggle. Comrade Anton left us a proud legacy. We must defend and deepen it.
“As part of defending Anton’s legacy, we call on government to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to his brutal death. We know that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission only heard the version of the police. We need the whole truth. Those responsible for Comrade Anton’s death must be held accountable. They must face the full might of the law.
“We welcome the re-opening of the inquest into the murder of Ashley Kriel and Imam Haron by the National Prosecuting Authority. We now await the inquest into Anton Fransch’s death,” he said.
Fellow freedom fighter, friend and former Bonteheuwel Military Wing member, Abubaker Cornelius, echoed Mr Mashatile’s words. He too, called for an investigation into Fransch’s death.
“Anton was a son of the soil, the salt of the earth. We were deeply disturbed (at his death) as his close comrades in Bonteheuwel, but we were equally satisfied with the news that he had a seven-hour brave, fearless battle with these evil forces of apartheid. What Anton Fransch uttered on that day is almost similar to what Che Guevara said just before he was killed. Anton said, ‘Kom haal my as julle kan.’ No stone must be left unturned to get to the bottom of what really happened on that day.”
