STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN RESPONSE TO THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE LEADER HELLEN ZILLE'S ATTACK ON THE COMMISSION
The SA Human Rights Commission refutes as untruthful the claims and attacks on its integrity by the Western Cape Premier and Democratic Alliance leader, Helen Zille.
The Commission is of the view that the allegations by Zille that the institution was "the ANC political hit squad" had no foundation, and lacked the premise on which to factually support such a wild and unsubstantiated claim.
The Commission had undertaken, upon receipt of a complaint by the community itself a few weeks ago, to conduct a preliminary investigation into the Hout Bay evictions. The eviction by the City of Cape Town allegedly resulted in violence and mayhem which resulted in serious injury and damage to property.
In her weekly online newsletter, Zille said the decision by the Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the eviction in Houtbay bordered on politics, was in fact "politically motivated" and was "dirty tricks by the ANC ahead of next year's general elections".
It is a well known fact that the Commission had in the past dealt with a number of complaints lodged by various individuals and organizations across the political spectrum.
We can name a few of these complaints: the complaint against the Sunday Times/Mail and Guardian cartoonist, Jonathan Shapiro, by the Young Communist League for his allegedly disparaging cartoon strips depicting President Zuma and his allies about to rape Lady Justice; complaints against the ANC Youth League president, Mr Julius Malema; Cosatu Secretary General, Mr Zwelinzima Vavi's comments that his organization would kill for Zuma; and a complaint against former and late ANC Youth League President Mr Peter Mokaba for his "kill the boer' slogan.
The Commission wishes to state that its mandate is to defend the constitution, and is of the view that Zille's unfounded claims were in bad taste.
Statement issued by Vincent Moaga, South African Human Rights Commission spokesperson, October 7 2010
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