The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte to withdraw her threat regarding the university subsidy as well as her outrageous remarks about University of the Free State Rector designate Jonathan Jansen (see statement). This is the behaviour of a bully who governs by fear and not persuasion and it is unacceptable in a democratic state.

Regarding the university subsidy, Duarte stated that "we remind him [Jansen] that the university is not a private institution but one subsidized by the ANC-led government."

But South Africa's universities do not belong to the ANC. The subsidy paid to all universities is taxpayers' money to which all citizens, and not just those who belong to or vote for the ANC, contribute. The subsidy is based on a nationally-agreed upon formula based on student enrolments and research performance. The formula is a constitutionally protected device that protects universities from political interference and allows them to do their jobs effectively.

Jessie Duarte also made highly insulting remarks about Jansen personally, criticising the ‘mysogynistic approach of highly educated academics that apartheid never existed'. This is a travesty of the truth. If Jansen is asked to apologise publicly by the ANC so must Duarte apologise publicly to Jansen for trading in lies.

Statement issued by Dr Wilmot James MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of higher education and training, July 20 2009

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