The Congress of the People (COPE) has condemned “rogue rascals” who have threatened the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) if it probes hate speech charges against King Goodwill Zwelithini.
In a statement today‚ COPE spokesman Dennis Bloem said Chapter 9 institutions have not received the protection from government that their special status warrants and deserves.
“It cannot be that every time a very serious matter‚ in the sphere and jurisdiction of a Chapter 9 institution‚ arises for investigation‚ that some people can take it upon themselves to threaten or intimidate its officials with impunity‚” said Bloem.
“That is intolerable.”
He cited the example of the office of the public protector‚ which “some senior politicians have regularly taken cheap pot shots at…without any justification and‚ alarmingly‚ without any consequences”.
“Now‚ the SAHRC is under threat by rogue rascals because they do not want this body to investigate the alleged words spoken by King Zwelithini leading to the xenophobic attacks that followed soon after.”
“COPE call upon the ministers of police as well as state security to investigate these threats and to arrest these rogue rascals who threaten the commission‚” said Bloem.
“The country wants to know the truth. It is only the truth that can set King Zwelithini free. Only an impartial investigation‚ by a trusted institution of the state‚ will remove the dark clouds hanging over his head.”
‘Rascals threatening SAHRC over king must be brought to book'
In a statement today‚ COPE spokesman Dennis Bloem said Chapter 9 institutions have not received the protection from government that their special status warrants and deserves.
“It cannot be that every time a very serious matter‚ in the sphere and jurisdiction of a Chapter 9 institution‚ arises for investigation‚ that some people can take it upon themselves to threaten or intimidate its officials with impunity‚” said Bloem.
“That is intolerable.”
He cited the example of the office of the public protector‚ which “some senior politicians have regularly taken cheap pot shots at…without any justification and‚ alarmingly‚ without any consequences”.
“Now‚ the SAHRC is under threat by rogue rascals because they do not want this body to investigate the alleged words spoken by King Zwelithini leading to the xenophobic attacks that followed soon after.”
“COPE call upon the ministers of police as well as state security to investigate these threats and to arrest these rogue rascals who threaten the commission‚” said Bloem.
“The country wants to know the truth. It is only the truth that can set King Zwelithini free. Only an impartial investigation‚ by a trusted institution of the state‚ will remove the dark clouds hanging over his head.”
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