"Vavi's non-apology: DA requests urgent meeting with Kollapen"

Today I will be seeking an urgent meeting with South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Chairperson Jody Kollapen to discuss the ability of the SAHRC to fulfil its constitutional obligation "to promote respect for human rights and a culture of human rights" and, more specifically, to use its powers to call political leaders to account for inciting the public to commit acts of violence.

The SAHRC yesterday let Cosatu Secretary-General Zwelinzima Vavi off the hook after yet another lengthy, closed meeting that produced nothing more than a trivial statement of regret that did not correspond substantially to the original charge.

As with ANC Youth League President Julius Malema, the original charge against Vavi was that he incited public violence, for which he was asked to apologise and make a retraction.

Like Malema, Vavi very clearly indicated no remorse for inciting public violence and also gave no commitment that he would not do so again in the future. Vavi merely expressed regret for offending the ‘sensitivities' of people who do not like the word ‘kill' - a completely nonsensical undertaking given the context of his original ‘shoot and kill for Zuma' remarks.

Such a frivolous response by Vavi cannot be considered an adequate response to the original offence, nor can it be considered a genuine expression of regret.

It is incomprehensible that Mr Kollapen did not learn from the SAHRC's experience with Malema who, like Vavi showed neither contrition nor made any strong commitment to refrain from making statements to incite public violence in the future. The net result is that it allowed Malema to engage in a dangerous game of semantics - only days after he met with Kollapen - that saw him merely replace the word "kill" with ‘eliminate'.

The SAHRC's failure to secure full and proper redress and to use the powers afforded to it by the Constitution and legislation has helped undermine the credibility of an  institution that has never been more needed in South Africa's democratic history to stand up for the  values and principles of the Constitution.

The Democratic Alliance has laid criminal charges against both Vavi and Malema after they made their initial statements. These charges are currently under investigation by the Organised Crime units at the South African Police Service's Gauteng Provincial Office and Parkway Police Station in Bloemfontein respectively.

I have already met with police officials who are following up these complaints and am ready to make any other contribution that is required to help ensure that justice is done in both of these matters. South Africa 's democratic future demands nothing less.

Statement issued by Sandra Botha MP, Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader, July 23 2008