YCLSA statement on Henke Pistorius remarks

The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] joins South Africa and the Pistorius family in expressing our disappointment in Henke Pistorius remarks. We see them as desperate attempts to make acceptable the unacceptably large arms cache that the Pistorius family have informed media they own.

It is abnormal for a family to own 55 weapons, regardless of their race, nationality or class. Henke Pistorius has done his son and his family a disservice by making sweeping, sensational, nonsensical and dishonest claims about the government, as such remarks are capable of turning public opinion against Oscar Pistorius (see here).

It appears that Henke Pistorius wants race relations and crime in South Africa to be the focus of the media during his son's trial, but we refuse to allow such distractions to take centre focus. South Africa has many problems, but in the Oscar Pistorius trial the focus must remain on the untimely and horrific death of a young woman who was shot and killed. We trust that the media will focus on the case not on general society; South Africa is not on trial. 

It is actually believed by most South Africans that the wealthy, mostly white people receive preferential treatment and it is for this reason that the Young Communist League cannot take seriously the claims made by Henke Pistorius.

We therefore merely express our disappointment at his reckless remarks. We have faith in our justice system and have no doubt that Oscar Pistorius's trial will be fair.

Henke Pistorius's remarks cannot influence our judges. We must add that the YCLSA is happy that Pistorius family have distanced themselves from Henke's remarks, we hope that the public will allow Oscar's right to be consider innocent until his case is finalised. 

Statement issued by Khaya Xaba, YCLSA National Spokesperson, March 5 2013

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