DA'S ATTACK ON THE SAHRC

9 May 2011

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip is gravely concerned by the Democratic Alliance's bully tactics on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and its attempt to drag the Commission into its mudslinging election politics (see here).

The DA's accusation that the Commission was quick to make a ruling on the Makhaza open toilets matter and yet it was taking longer with regard to the alleged Free State toilet matter is a worrying attempt to question the integrity and the political impartiality of the Commission.

This allegation, which cannot be substantiated by fact, is the DA's tactic of diverting the public's attention from the damaging effects the recent Makhaza open toilets court ruling have on the party's election campaign. Instead of abiding by the ruling of the court and enclose the open toilets, the DA goes into attack mode to tarnish the integrity of one of the public institutions of our constitutional democracy.

The SAHRC is the national institution established in terms of our constitution to support democracy, promote respect, observe and protect human rights for everyone without fear or favour. The DA's bully tactic on the Commission is dangerous as it is designed to erode the trust people have in this important public institution. 

Such shallow a tactic is indicative of a party in desperation, out of ideas and unable to take the heat. This tactic also once again exposes the DA's double standards, for which it has become notorious. When the commission made rulings that were favourable to the party in the past, the DA never questioned their timing or the period they took to be made.

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip submitted a complaint to the SAHRC regarding the DA-run City of Cape Town's demolition of churches and mosques in the city's black townships on March 2010, which is more than the seven months that the DA is complaining it is taking for the commission to conclude the Free State matter. We have nevertheless continued to wait patiently for the ruling, rather than resort to the dangerous and ill-conceived route taken by the DA. This is because of the confidence we have in the Commission and respect for the role it plays in our democracy.

The public indeed have a reason to be worried when a party that aspires to lead the country one day resorts to malicious attacks on institutions supporting our democracy, merely because it is feeling frustrated by the course its elections campaign is taking.

Statement issued by The Office of the ANC Chief Whip, ANC Parliamentary Caucus, May 9 2011

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