Sisulu should withdraw offensive statements to portfolio committee

30 October 2014

I will today write to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Nocawe Nafu, requesting that she summons the Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, to the Portfolio Committee to explain her comments to the committee yesterday. 

Sisulu stated that when couples living in RDP housing divorce, the man should "get out" so that the woman can look after the children. This is a sexist statement. The Minister is engaging in grand generalisations that are offensive (see Sapa report). 

Moreover, her intention to develop a policy on which individual should receive an RDP house in a divorce situation is simply unconstitutional. 

The minister does not have the legal capacity to make such decisions. South Africa has a capable judiciary system which determines these rulings in a court of law, according to the best interests of all parties concerned.

Whilst the DA strongly advocates the rights of women and children, in a democratic society men also have rights which need to be respected. 

She should urgently come to the committee to withdraw her preposterous remarks.

Statement issued by Tarnia Baker MP, DA member on the Human Settlements Portfolio Committee, October 30 2014

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