DA'S DISTURBING INVESTIGATION INTO NCOP CHIEF WHIP'S QUALIFICATIONS

15 October 2014

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip finds an investigation by Democratic Alliance into the academic qualifications of the National Council of Provinces Chief Whip Dr Hunadi Mateme outrageous, disturbing and racist. It has come to our attention that DA MP Cathlene Labuschagne has written to Dr Mateme demanding that she furnish her with proof that she has obtained appropriate academic qualifications in line with her title.

In her letter, Labuschagne states that her party has conducted an investigation into Dr Mateme's qualifications with the relevant institutions, which she claims have confirmed they have no records of such qualifications awarded to her. Labuschagne further threatens to "share our suspicions with the media" should Dr Mateme fail to furnish the DA with the necessary proof within 24 hours.

We view the DA and its MP's conduct of snooping into the personal information of Dr Mateme as utterly despicable, offensive and highly contemptuous. Although we are shocked and outraged by the conduct, it however comes as no surprise to us given the party's known little regard for black people. Clearly, as far the DA is concerned; black people are incapable of excelling or achieving academically except through falsification or deception. We find this view not only disturbing and contemptuous but also blatantly racist.

We wish to put on the record that Dr Mateme has completed a Master's degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the Michigan State University in the United States of America. The Michigan University's records would indeed not show Dr Mateme's Doctor of Philosophy degree, as she only completed her course work (in research methodology, field work and laboratory) with the institution before departing to South Africa in 1985 to continue her degree with Medical University of South Africa (Medunsa). She obtained her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Medunsa in 1992.

Dr Mateme has since furnished proof of these academic qualifications to Ms Labuschagne. She has taken this personal decision fully aware that she is under no obligation to do so, and that she is protected under the constitution against any invasion of personal privacy.

This was done neither to bow to Ms Labuschagne's threats nor to dignify her party's insatiable appetite for tearing down anything Black. It was however done with the hope that it would force her to have a hard look at her racial prejudices, which views Black people as inherently dishonest and corrupt.

In this regard, Ms Labuschagne's conduct has been referred to the relevant structures of Parliament for consideration. We do not believe that MPs have the authority to conduct investigations of this nature into other MPs.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, October 15 2014

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