(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI press release: RE: ANC reaction to Max Du Preez’s comments on President Mbeki The Freedom of Expression Institute is deeply disturbed about the turn of events following comments by Max du Preez on the SAFM programme “The Editors”. The comments concerned the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, […]
(FXI/IFEX) – The following is an FXI press release:
RE: ANC reaction to Max Du Preez’s comments on President Mbeki
The Freedom of Expression Institute is deeply disturbed about the turn of events following comments by Max du Preez on the SAFM programme “The Editors”. The comments concerned the President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and included a reference to President Mbeki being a
womaniser. The ANC has reacted strongly, accusing Du Preez of racism and of abusing freedom of expression. The comments of the KwaZulu/Natal region have a sinister and threatening undertone which will not assist journalists in doing their work without fear or favour.
The ANC’s reaction fails to take the context in which Du Preez made these statements into account, given the fact that he was commenting on a leaked letter written by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in which she denied having spread rumours that President Mbeki was a womaniser. It is ironic that the charge of racism has been levelled against Du Preez as he raised the issue in the context of comments highlighting the extent of racism in the country. In fact, Du Preez criticised the racism of white South Africans, many of whom carry prejudices about African leaders being despots. Even though the example that Du Preez used to highlight this point could be considered as unfortunate, the ANC’s attempt to tar Du Preez with a racist brush trivialises the extent and extremity of racism in South African society. Its reaction also undermines the struggle against racism by diverting national attention to comments that are open to varying interpretations.
The FXI is especially disturbed by calls on the part of the ANC Western Cape to enact legislation outlawing insulting the President. Such a law would without doubt be a violation of freedom of
expression, and will have a chilling effect on critical comments about the Presidency. Such legislation will also add grist to the mill of commentators who criticise the Presidency of Thabo Mbeki as being intolerant of criticism, and add fuel to racist views about the nature of African presidency. It will also have consequences for artists and comedians as they may well run shy of choosing the Presidency as their subject matter.
It has long been recognised in law that public figures receive less protection from critical comments than private citizens, purely by virtue of the fact that they operate in the public arena. This is especially so with respect to Presidents, and President Mbeki cannot be an exception. It should be noted, though, that if President Mbeki feels aggrieved by Du Preez’s comments, then he has recourse to the common law; but for the ANC to react by calling for the enacting of legislation is an overreaction that could have very dangerous consequences for critical debate in the country. Notwithstanding the unfortunate nature of the example Du Preez used to raise debate about the extent of racism in the country, to deal with the matter by threatening legislation and censorship will take neither the cause of democracy nor anti-racism forward.
