AfriForum Youth kicked out of Loftus because of "Sies Absa!" banner

Two members of AfriForum Youth were today kicked out of Loftus by security guards during a Blue Bulls and WP game because they displayed a banner with the words "Sies Absa, ons eis meriete!" ("No go Absa, we demand merit").  The security guards who kicked out the students, said that all are prohibited from saying anything against Absa, who is the main sponsor of SA Rugby.  The students told the security guards that this action is a violation of their constitutional rights, to which the guards replied with the words: "Your rights do not apply here.  Absa makes its own rules."

With this action AfriForum Youth entered the campaign to stop Absa's political interference in SA rugby.  Approximately 5 000 posters with the words "Sies Absa!", "Absa, ons eis meriete!" ("Absa, we demand merit") and "Haal politiek uit rugby!" ("Keep politics out of rugby") were given by AfriForum Youth to spectators at the game.  These posters, as well as the banner were confiscated.

The members who were kicked out, are Ernst Roets, National Chairman, and Ian Cameron, a member of the management of AfriForum Youth.  Roets said that they would like to see Absa's so-called "rules" on paper.  "The manner in which we were treated today, reminds one of Robert Mugabe.  We were treated disrespectfully and were insulted and our tickets were confiscated.  We did not disrupt the rugby in any way.  We simply exercised our constitutional rights by taking a stand for what we believe in."

Roets demands an apology from Absa and wants a refund of their tickets .

Statement issued by Ernst Roets, National Chairman: AfriForum Youth, October 2 2010

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