Institute submits complaint to the Human Rights Commission - 14th July 2008

The Institute this morning sent a letter of complaint to the CEO of the South African Human Rights Commission. The complaint referred to reports in this morning's newspapers that the head of the youth league of the African National Congress, Mr Julius Malema, had called for the 'elimination' of groups including the Democratic Alliance [see here]. In the context of other recent threats by Mr Malema the Institute regards this latest threat as extremely serious and a threat to peace and stability in South Africa.

The text of the letter follows below:

The CEO

South African Human Rights Commission

Dear Sir,

The South African Institute of Race Relations noted with concern the statements on the part of the head of the youth league of the African National Congress, Mr Julius Malema, calling on people to kill in support of Jacob Zuma. That matter was referred to your office. Your office apparently initially requested an apology from Mr Malema. This was not forthcoming and a compromise appears to have been reached whereby Mr Malema agreed not to use the word ‘kill' in his public statements again.

Reports in this morning's press indicate that since this agreement was brokered Mr Malema has again issued threats. According to reports he called for the ‘elimination' of the Democratic Alliance amongst other ‘counter revolutionary' elements. The term ‘elimination' when used in the context of apartheid era politics was generally taken to imply the killing of political opponents. This term was also the focus of several Truth and Reconciliation Committee findings.

In the context of Mr Malema's previous statements South Africans might infer from this latest statement that he is calling for the killing of members of the official opposition.

There can surely be no more serious threat to human rights in South Africa than political leaders calling on their supporters to kill the supporters and members of other political parties. South African and African history is full of examples of what happens when such threats are not curtailed but are tolerated and eventually acted upon.

In South Africa's current context we must be under no illusion that continuing high levels of poverty, inequality, and unemployment in an already violent society are a dangerous cocktail. This threatens political instability. Incitement to politically inspired violence in such a volatile climate risks sparking acts of violence including killings and assaults.

The Institute requests that you investigate these latest threats from Mr Malema and take action to ensure that a precedent is set that such threats will not be tolerated.

The Institute notes that your office has rejected the insinuation that you were intimidated into compromising on Mr Malema's initial apology. It would indeed be a dark day for South Africa were the constitutionally enshrined commission tasked with protection of human rights to be vulnerable to pressure from political parties. It would be equally unfortunate if your office were seen to be partisan when it came to the protection of human rights.

In this interests of openness and transparency this letter has been copied to the editor of The Star newspaper who reported on Mr Malema's latest threats in this morning's edition. It will also be posted on the Institute's website and be available to the broader media. 

Sincerely,

Frans Cronje
Deputy CEO, South African Institute of Race Relations

Statement issued by the South African Institute of Race Relations July 14 2008