Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2005-10-28 Reporter:

Zuma has Right to Protest, says Mbeki

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2005-10-28

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

President Thabo Mbeki has defended *1 ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma and Zuma's supporters' right to protest, saying this neither amounted to intimidation of the justice system, nor to a lack of patriotism.

Mbeki was answering a question yesterday in parliament where the DA's Sydney Opperman questioned the patriotism of Zuma and his supporters, saying "a person cannot be regarded as a patriot, if that person disrespected the rule of law".

In a clear reference to Zuma, Opperman charged that "the present mobilisation of unruly supporters when a high-profile politician appears in court on criminal charges borders on the promotion of mob rule". Opperman added that this was even more of a concern when such a politician took the podium right in front of the court to sing or chant that people must bring him a "machine gun".

Opperman's comment was based on a literal interpretation of Zuma's favourite struggle-day slogan, "Awulethe umshini *2 wami", Zulu for "give me my gun *2", and has seen some commentators warning that the Zuma-versus-Mbeki debacle might lead to political violence.

Opperman, in a similar vein, asserted: "Mr President, this is war talk, it causes a serious threat to national unity, patriotism and moral regeneration. Will you, Mr President, deal with this having your laid-back approach, or will you take off your gloves?"

But, far from being in the mood for war-talk, Mbeki, was in a humorous, relaxed and conciliatory mood.

"I have not had gloves for many years, Mr Opperman. But I believe we have to respect the rights of people to demonstrate and to express their views as it is very fundamental to the practice of democracy in the country," Mbeki replied.

"In any instance where the law might be broken, I am sure that the police would take the necessary action to deal with that.

"But there should be no stage in which people would come to the conclusion that the democracy which they fought for and created is intolerant of them expressing their views by way of demonstration or any other way," said Mbeki.

Mbeki's reply echoed the stance taken by his cabinet a few weeks ago, when although expressing concern at Zuma's supporters burning ANC T-shirts bearing Mbeki's face, the cabinet acknowledged the demonstrators' right to peaceful protest.

Mbeki also disputed an assertion by the IFP's Nhlanhla Zulu who argued that there were no impressive results indicating that South Africa was making progress in forging a new patriotism and social cohesion.

"Given the facts of where we come from, we have had impressive returns and we actually do not have a choice except to stick to this part of national unity, new patriotism and respect for our diversity.

"If we fail anywhere, let's try again," said Mbeki.

With acknowledgement to Cape Argus.


*1 The one fork of the tongue is as tightly bound, by historical and arms deal factual reality, as are the testicles (figuratively speaking).

There is therefore an imperative to speak with the other fork.

*2 umshini - machine -> machine gun

A machine gun in the hands of the non-military / non-paramilitary is for making trouble, big trouble. This is not a .38 special for self-protection if some arachnids on an unauthorised mission *3 come a knocking at 06:00, or someone sprays his Usiel Gal SMG (Uzi) at your Merc when peacefully trundling along the M1.

*3 Or one sees some of Billy Masethla's old buddies fiddling with the Telkom junction box *4 on the street cornet outside one's home or office and one just wants to issue a couple of warning shots.

*4 Or trying to electronically impersonate a Vodacom or MTN cellular transmission node.