Cosatu’s allegations of old apartheid flags at Bela protest are false

6 November 2024 

Cosatu’s allegations that “old apartheid are flags” were displayed during yesterday’s Bela protest action are malicious and false. This is according to AfriForum and Solidarity, organisers of the Bela protest action that yesterday attracted more than 10 000 protesters to take a stand against the clauses on public schools’ language and admissions policies, as contained in the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act 32 of 2024 (the Bela Act).

The organisations maintain that at no stage of the day were any flags of the previous dispensation displayed. One person who had a Vierkleur (the flag of the old Transvaal Republic) was immediately requested to leave the site upon arrival and was escorted off the site by security.

According to Dr Dirk Hermann Cosatu’s allegations are opportunistic. “The person who was turned away for displaying the Vierkleur was one in more than 10 000 people, and the situation was dealt with immediately and efficiently. The purpose of the protest march was to show opposition to the specific sections of the Bela Act. It was a positive march directed at finding a solution to a major issue,” says Hermann.

Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, emphasises that the allegations aim to divert attention from an important matter. “The focus should now be on the negotiations. It will be good for the country if a solution is achieved through healthy dialogue rather than unfounded allegations,” concludes Kriel.

Issued by Kallie Kriel, CEO, AfriForum, 6 November 2024