IFP: ANC GROWING INTO APARTHEID MOULD

We learn from New York, more than we do from the South African press, that the South African Government has launched a criminal probe against international news agencies Reuters and Associated Press for having placed cameras outside the home of Nelson Mandela (see here).

Reportedly, the Government resorted to the National Key Points Act which the Apartheid government passed to prevent the terrorists of the time, who were the ANC activists, from taking pictures of strategic defence assets which could become the target of terrorist activities. Under that piece of Apartheid law, Government was given ample discretion to designate venues as National Key Points to be so protected. This ended up designating the houses of former presidents as Key Points.

It is intolerable that restrictions of this type could still exist when the said images can easily be taken from Google Earth. It would appear that this has now become an unconstitutional limitation of our right to know and record in pictures or on film all that our eyes can freely see.

The ANC is continuing to show the paranoia of insecurity which leads to a silent war against those who inform us, the free circulation of information and the freedom to know. This must be stopped.

If there is any truth to the aforesaid reports, we call on Government to immediately abort the criminal proceedings taken against Reuters and Associated Press which make South Africa look internationally like a place in which human rights are not taken seriously. If charges have been pressed, they must be withdrawn at once. The cameras and footage which were seized must be returned to the media agencies and Government must commit itself to no longer hinder media activities which ensure the right to know and be informed of people throughout the world.

It is also important that the National Key Points Act be either repealed or administered in a rational and sane manner which avoids listing as Key Points all that which may irk the political immaturity of those in power, including the houses of former presidents.

I am sure that President Mandela would be the first to abhor that measures of this type have been adopted ostensibly to protect him from the interest of the citizens of the world, who have for so long expressed love and admiration for him exactly for his unwavering defence of human rights.

Statement issued by Dr Mario GR Oriani-Ambrosini MP, Inkatha Freedom Party, December 19 2011

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