Human Rights Day: Unruly behaviour of ANC supporters puts damper on celebrations

Lindiwe Mazibuko, DA National Spokesperson
21 March 2011

Earlier today at the Human Rights Day rally held at Athlone in Cape Town, Acting Premier of the Western Cape, Patricia de Lille, was jeered by certain sections of the crowd, many of them wearing ANC T-shirts, when she attempted to address the audience. This type of behaviour proves yet again that the ANC cannot tell the difference between party and state.

The unruly and ill-disciplined conduct by ANC supporters cast a shadow over the celebratory event intended to commemorate the many people who gave their lives to ensure that human rights are today enshrined in our Constitution. 

It is clear that anyone who would insult their memory, behaving as these hecklers did today, does not  understand or appreciate the Constitution of our country. Freedom of speech and freedom of association are fundamental rights under our Constitution.

It is ironic that certain ANC supporters showed their disregard for the freedom and human rights of their fellow South Africans on the day intended to celebrate these hard-won rights. It is even more ironic that they chose to target a person who has such a long history of fighting for the freedom we enjoy today, and who continues to fight for justice and opportunities for all South Africans.

It appears that this celebration was nothing but an ANC rally, organised with public funds, and not an event aimed at commemorating Human Rights Day.