Genocide Watch Article - 11 May 2010

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South African Youth Leader Is Given a Mild Punishment After a Series of Gaffes
By Barry Bearak, The New York Times

11 May 2010

 

Alexander Joe/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Julius Malema, president of the youth league of the African National Congress, addressing a rally in Johannesburg in 2009.

JOHANNESBURG — Julius Malema, the inflammatory president of the governing party's youth league, was given a mild punishment by party elders on Tuesday after a disciplinary hearing that many here once expected to yield a far harsher comeuppance.

Mr. Malema was permitted a plea bargain, resulting in the withdrawal of three internal charges against him in exchange for a guilty plea in one other. His censure includes a public apology, mandatory education in anger management and leadership skills, and a fine of about $1,300.

The announcement by a disciplinary committee of the party, theAfrican National Congress, included Mr. Malema's agreed-upon portion of humble pie, with his admitting that his "public utterances should at all times reflect respect and restraint." He promised to learn from his mistakes.

Last month, when President Jacob Zuma publicly reprimanded his best-known disciple, there was speculation that Mr. Malema might well face expulsion from the party and the possible dead end of a political career.

But the 29-year-old leader of the youth league has a huge following and has proved an able field general in getting out the vote. While he has offended many in the A.N.C.'s hierarchy, he also has important allies.

The three charges that were dismissed had seemed the most serious. In early April, Mr. Malema made a trip to Zimbabwe, where he allied himself with the 86-year-old autocratic president, Robert Mugabe. This exchange of affections came while Mr. Zuma was involved in delicate negotiations to solve that country's political crisis. A show of impartiality was considered essential for success.

Mr. Malema also resurrected a liberation-era song that included the words "shoot the Boer," a lyric that, if taken literally, calls for the killing of Afrikaners. A judge banned the singing of the song — and the party itself issued instructions to stop the racially divisive renditions. But the youth league leader defiantly continued to lead crowds in the forbidden singalong.

A third charge involved the rude treatment of a BBC correspondent, Jonah Fisher, whom Mr. Malema maligned and threw out of a news conference.

The charge that Mr. Malema did not escape involved an implied criticism of Mr. Zuma, comparing him unfavorably with former President Thabo Mbeki at a provincial youth congress on April 11.

"Comrade Julius Malema shall make a public apology to the president of the A.N.C., the A.N.C. and the public in general," read the disciplinary committee's statement.

It further threatened Mr. Malema with suspension from the A.N.C. if he is again found guilty of provoking party divisions within the next two years.

A version of this article appeared in print on May 12, 2010, on page A9 of the New York edition.

Copyright 2010 New York Times Company.

Genocide Watch Article - 04 May 2010

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South African leader accused of racism, Corruption also alleged

By Geoff Hill, Special to The Washington Times

4 May 2010

JOHANNESBURG-- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Monday night postponed a disciplinary hearing for its Youth League leader, who is accused of targeting whites with vicious chants and criticizing President Jacob Zuma.

However, ANC leaders might find the situation with Youth League President Julius Malema a welcome distraction from recent polls that show the public is angry about the party's inability to deal with issues such as unemployment and corruption.

Official statistics suggest that one in four South Africans is out of work, but analysts and aid groups put unemployment as high as 40 percent.

Mr. Malema, who grew up in extreme poverty as the son of a domestic worker, owns two luxury homes in the wealthiest suburb of Johannesburg and several imported cars. His youth group has denied charges of corruption but has not explained how he has amassed such wealth.

"The National Disciplinary Committee has not completed its work and consequently it will reconvene next week," ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said of the postponed hearing for Mr. Malema, who also stands accused of "bringing the party into disrepute."

The ANC Youth League leader also is accused of praising and pledging support for the dictatorial rule of President Robert Mugabe in neighboring Zimbabwe, where Mr. Zuma is trying to mediate between parties who contested that nation's 2008 election.

Mr. Mugabe lost the election but refused to hand over power, forcing the opposition into an ill-fitting coalition. The South African government has been at pains to show that it has not taken sides in the conflict.

In the wake of Mr. Malema's visit last month to Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, Mr. Zuma — who had previously supported the youth leader — described his behavior as "totally out of order" and warned that action would be taken against him.

Mr. Malema fired back, condemning the president for criticizing him in public.

But both men could have bigger battles.

A recent opinion poll showed that only 27 percent of voters support Mr. Malema, while 59 percent said the ANC should discipline him. The polling was done by TNS Research Surveys, an international firm that also monitors political and consumer opinion in Europe, India and the USA.

In addition, TNS found that in the first quarter of 2010, support for Mr. Zuma had dropped from 58 to 43 percent, the biggest fall for a ruling head of state since the advent of democratic rule in South Africa in 1994.

The research showed that key concerns in the electorate were a lack of jobs and housing and rising levels of corruption.

Copyright 2010 The Washington Times

Genocide Watch Article - 03 May 2010

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Be Militant, Senior ANC Official Tells Youth

By Sinegugu Ndlovu, The Mercury

May 3, 2010  

Young people should be militant and vibrant instead of being docile, says Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. 

He was addressing student leaders from tertiary institutions at the National Association of Student Development Practitioners conference in Durban on Sunday. The conference was intended for student leaders to exchange ideas on dealing with issues including crime and HIV and Aids at universities.

Mthethwa said former president Nelson Mandela had been an outspoken and key component of the armed struggle in his youth, while the late Robert Resha and Peter Mokaba had talked about killing white people. 

"The ANC did not kill Peter Mokaba, he continued to be a leader in the political map of this country. We must not make youth docile. We want that militancy and vibrancy, it must all be there," he said. 

Mthethwa, a member of the ANC's national executive committee, was speaking on the eve of ANC Youth League president Julius Malema's disciplinary hearing, which is expected to commence on Monday. 

Malema stands accused of bringing the ANC into disrepute and of misconduct for disregarding ANC policy. 

Mthethwa, however, denied that his comments were intended to defend Malema, who was not mentioned during his address. 

He said he had been referring to the nature of the ANC, which had never been led by "docile" leaders. 

"People must be built, not destroyed. The major thing is that when there is a war to be pursued in a revolutionary situation, the youth must be at the cutting edge of that situation. Nelson Mandela was extremely militant to the extent of being out of order. Resha was militant to the point of calling people to murder. 

"Young people must be within parameters, but not blunt objects. We wouldn't be here if Mandela had been destroyed. I'm not defending anyone," said Mthethwa. 

He also used the opportunity to defend the militarisation of the police, saying the government wanted to take a "tougher" stance on crime. 

He added that the police were expected to combat crime within the boundaries of the law. 

"We have balanced our approach to policing with emphasising that there will be greater accountability and civilian over- sight of the police," he said. 

Copyright 2010 The Mercury

 

Genocide Watch Article - 02 May 2010

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South African Government officials say white crime victims are to blame for racist attacks on them

By European Union Times Online

2 May 2010

 

"It's farmers' fault that many farms are unsafe," ANC MPs said on Tuesday.

 

André Botha, chair of Agri SA's policy committee on rural safety, said during a presentation to the portfolio committee on police that the derogatory statements about white farmers made by government officials and senior politicians, is one of the biggest challenges.

 

Patrick Chauke, ANC MP, dismissed this.

 

"Political statements are the least of your worries. Organised agriculture knows all too well that they are the cause of the problems. The police try their best, but the solution lies with you," he said to Botha.

 

Chauke carried on to argue that farm workers are abused, and that illegal immigrants are "held prisoner" by farmers.

 

"Most of the cattle theft is committed by the farmers themselves. And they sell alcohol to the people who live on the farm."

 

Aggressive farmers

 

According to Sindi Chikunga, ANC MP and committee chair, there are many kind-hearted farmers.

 

"But it's also a fact that there are many violently aggressive farmers and you (Agri SA) should publicly condemn them."

 

Allegations were also made that farmers are reluctant to become police reservists and don't want to get involved with community policing forums and sector policing.

 

Botha, who is a police reservist, told Beeld afterwards that he was extremely unhappy about what happened during the meeting. He dismissed and denied the statement that farmers don't want to help the police to secure their farms.

 

"We try our best to get involved (with sector policing), but the systems and the incompetent people (within the police) prevent our participation."

 

Botha said the government is not doing its duty to protect farmers, and then it wants to shift all the responsibility onto the organised agriculture sector.

 

"I'm an ordinary citizen with certain rights. The politicians should acknowledge where the responsibility lies. It's their duty to govern. To leave the ball in our court… No, I am definitely not comfortable with that."

 

Food security under threat

 

According to Agri SA's statistics, over the past 18 years there have been up to 11 785 farm attacks and 1 804 farmers were murdered. Up to 121 000 livestock, worth about R365m, was stolen in the 2008-'09 financial year alone.

 

Botha warned that commercial agriculture can't absorb these losses indefinitely and that food security is under threat.

 

Agri SA supports the government's plan for rural safety and prefers it to the old commando system.

 

But Botha said the plan is falling apart due to an enormous lack of leadership, management and controls within the police. Resources are abused, there's corruption and most station commanders don't know how to apply sector policing in rural areas.

 

Cope MP Mluleki George supported the ANC's position and said Agri SA, which represents about 80% of the country's commercial farmers, should accept their co- responsibility for the safety of farmers and farm workers.

 

The latest statistics regarding attacks and murders on farms will be available in May, when police officials present their plan for rural security to Parliament.

 

 

Copyright 2010 European Union Time Online.

Genocide Watch Article - 01 May 2010

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Malema pulls out race card again

By News24.com

1 May 2010

 

Bloemfontein , Orange Free State, South Africa

 

- Do not be afraid to confront issues of race, ANC Youth League president Julius Malema told Free State students on Friday.

"It is a most sensitive issue; while you speak against it you are declared a racist. If you are not strong, you will retreat," he said in Bloemfontein.

Malema was speaking at the University of the Free State during the launch by the SA Students' Congress of a "Right to Learn Campaign".

He said "those who have oppressed us", should be pressed to show remorse and accept that Africans are ruling the country.

"They have rejected" olive branches extended by former president Nelson Mandela and President Jacob Zuma.

"They do not participate in anything that is of national importance, they do not observe national days, they do not support national initiatives," Malema said.

"... They do not care about the development of this country, they are forever obsessed with whether they are going to be attacked or robbed."

'White males still control economy'

Malema said white people had been taught from an early age that a black person could never be trusted, that "a black person has a potential of being a criminal, a black person has a potential of being a murderer".

Malema said the ANC had fought for a non-racial society and was building a non-racial society.
However, he said this would not be reached if national questions such as race, gender or class were not addressed.

Malema said South Africa's freedom was useless while the country's economic power was still in the hands of white males.

"There is nothing transformed in the economy of South Africa and for as long as we don't take a radical position to the transformation of the economy it will forever be dominated by white males."

Free education

Malema said there were usually no problems with debates such as gender issues and about whether the working class should be the ruling class.

However, when the alliance wanted to fight the monopoly of white capital in society, it was branded racist.

Malema told the students the government would never be able to supply free education only through collecting taxes.

"We need extra income. Where is this? It is beneath the soil of South Africa - that is where we can get the money," he said.

Nationalisation

Malema said the government would like to guarantee the ownership of the country's minerals for the people of this country.

The government would be prepared to go into partnership with the private sector in the mining sector, but government must hold the majority share.

The ANC youth leader said the working class should be able to indicate what they wanted government to do with the money made from mines.

"That way we know there is public participation in the process," Malema said.

"We do not pay tax, because we are government but Anglo Platinum must still pay tax after declaring dividends with us," he said to huge cheers from the group.

Turning to the event itself, Malema echoed local student leaders' unhappiness that the meetings were held at the university's Rag Farm, removed from the central part of the campus, blaming the university's white Afrikaner management.

"There is an evil spirit at the UFS. The evil spirit must be confronted, that evil spirit is deep-rooted at the university and that is racism," he said.
 

Copyright 2010 News24.com

Genocide Watch Article - 29 April 2010

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MEDIA RELEASE: BLACK AND WHITE RACISM - EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY POTCHEFSTROOM (Freedom)

by Dr. Pieter Mulder

29 April 2010

 

Capacity: FF Plus leader and deputy minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

 

What does South Africa sixteen years after 27 April 1994's election?

 

Remember the reaction when President Mandela in 1995, the number six Springbokrugbytrui dressed and South Africa rugbywêreldbeker won?

 

The current political settlement reached in 1994, is not an automatic given no. Wise leaders on both sides of the political spectrum will continuously work to continue and adapt it to South Africa a safe home for not only the black majority, but also for all minorities in South Africa.

 

The past three weeks, with the deliberate singing of "Shoot the Farmers' song, with numerous murders, including the murder of Eugene Terre'Blanche, there are many spoken and written about the 1994-array and how South Africa is today forward. Just a few facts:

 

Since 1994, more than 300 000 (328 244) people killed in South Africa. This is an average of 60 people per day. The past seven years to March 2009 is nearly 135 000 people in South Africa killed (134 552).

The world average for murder is five per 100 000, but in South Africa it is 38 per 100 000. Almost eight times more.

 

Since 1994, over 3 000 farmers and farm workers killed in more than 10 000 farm attacks. This gives a figure of more than 200 per 100 000.

 

It is these figures that people's idealism and dreams destroyed after 1994. If at some ANC pronouncements listening, beginning 27 April increasing the significance of the victory of one group over another. It is historically wrong and a recipe for renewed conflict and not cooperation not.

 

With Malema on one side and radical statements on the other hand, is South Africa today is more polarized than any other time since 1994.

 

Black racism against whites is now very popular. I can give numerous examples. Black racism is used to voices and to recruit people to mobilize. But no black racism solve problems - it just creates new and bigger problems. Black and white leaders should be condemned.

 

But the same goes for white racism. White racism does not solve problems - it just creates new ones. I read this white racism in anonymous angry rant on the internet and irresponsible statements. White and black leaders should be equally condemned.

 

This is the easy kind of politics. I sweep my people and you whip yours - and what do we say?

 

What is difficult politically? Difficult political and true leadership is a place in the sun for all people and groups in South Africa. Politically difficult to apply to win-win solution to come out. Solutions that nobody feels aggrieved and oppressed not. There is such a modern international solutions. Difficult policy is where I for my own supporters' interests without fighting the bigger picture in order to lose. Before you wise leaders on all sides and imaginative solutions.

 

Most people and groups in South Africa fail for peace, cooperation and peace. Such solutions can be found again as the modern international solutions look. Worldwide and minority self-determination formulas in societies like those of South Africa to use harmony and cooperation. Let us debate it. Debate it with an open mind. This could adjustments and a opvolgskikking which leads many of the problems can be addressed.

 

DR. PETER MULDER

Contact: 084 603 5118 / 082 472 0189 / 082 777 0202

Genocide Watch Article - 27 April 2010

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 MEDIAVERKLARING

ONDERWERP           :           SWART EN WIT RASSISME – UITTREKSEL UIT TOESPRAAK OP POTCHEFSTROOM (VRYHEIDSDAG)

UITGEREIK DEUR     :           Dr. Pieter Mulder

HOEDANIGHEID       :           VF Plus-leier en adjunkminister van Landbou, Bosbou en Visserye

DATUM                       :           29 April 2010

Hoe lyk Suid-Afrika sestien jaar na 27 April 1994 se verkiesing?

Onthou jy die reaksie toe president Mandela in 1995 die nommer ses Springbokrugbytrui aangetrek het en Suid-Afrika die rugbywêreldbeker gewen het?

Die huidige politieke skikking wat in 1994 bereik is, is nie 'n outomatiese gegewe nie. Verstandige leiers aan weerskante van die politieke spektrum sal voortdurend daaraan moet bly werk en dit aanpas om Suid-Afrika 'n veilige tuiste vir nie net die swart meerderheid nie, maar ook vir alle minderhede van Suid-Afrika te maak.

Die afgelope drie weke, met die moedswillige sing van die "Skiet die Boere"-lied en met talle plaasmoorde, waaronder die moord van Eugene Terre'blanche, is daar baie gepraat en geskryf oor die 1994-skikking en hoe Suid-Afrika vandag daar uitsien. Net enkele feite:

Sedert 1994 is meer as 300 000 (328 244) mense vermoor in Suid-Afrika. Dit is gemiddeld 60 mense per dag. Die afgelope sewe jaar tot Maart 2009 is amper 135 000 mense in Suid-Afrika vermoor (134 552).

Die wêreldgemiddeld vir moord is 5 per 100 000, maar in Suid-Afrika is dit 38 per 100 000. Amper agt keer meer.

Sedert 1994 is meer as 3 000 boere en plaaswerkers vermoor in meer as 10 000 plaasaanvalle. Dit gee 'n syfer van meer as 200 per 100 000.

Dit is hierdie syfers wat mense se idealisme en drome na 1994 vernietig het. As na sommige ANC-uitsprake geluister word, begin 27 April steeds meer die betekenis kry van die oorwinning van een groep oor die ander. Dit is histories verkeerd en 'n resep vir nuwe konflik en nie vir samewerking nie.

Met Malema aan die een kant en radikale uitsprake aan die ander kant, is Suid-Afrika vandag meer gepolariseerd as enige ander tyd sedert 1994.

Swart rassisme teen wittes is tans baie gewild. Ek kan talle voorbeelde gee. Swart rassisme word gebruik om stemme te werf en om mense te mobiliseer. Maar swart rassisme los geen probleme op nie – dit skep net nuwe en groter probleme. Swart en wit leiers moet dit skerp veroordeel.

Maar dieselfde geld vir wit rassisme. Wit rassisme los geen probleme op nie – dit skep net nuwes. Ek lees hierdie wit rassisme in woedende anonieme tirades op die internet en in onverantwoordelike uitsprake. Wit en swart leiers moet dit net so skerp veroordeel.

Dit is die maklike soort politiek. Ek sweep my mense op en jy sweep joune op – en wat maak ons dan?

Wat is moeilike politiek? Moeilike politiek en ware leierskap is om 'n plek in die son te maak vir alle mense en groepe in Suid-Afrika. Moeilike politiek is om by wen-wen oplossing uit te kom. Oplossings waar niemand verontreg en onderdruk voel nie. Daar is sulke moderne internasionale oplossings. Moeilike politiek is waar ek vir my eie ondersteuners se belange baklei sonder om die groter prentjie uit die oog te verloor. Daarvoor het jy wyse leiers aan alle kante en verbeeldingryke oplossings nodig. 

Meeste mense en groepe in Suid-Afrika smag na rustigheid, samewerking en vrede. Sulke oplossings kan gevind word as weer na die moderne internasionale oplossings gekyk word. Wêreldwyd word selfbeskikking en minderheidsregte formules in samelewings soos die van Suid-Afrika vir harmonie en samewerking gebruik. Kom ons debatteer dit. Debatteer dit met 'n oop gemoed. Dit kan tot aanpassings en tot 'n opvolgskikking lei waardeur baie van die huidige probleme aangespreek kan word.

DR. PIETER MULDER

Kontaknommers: 084 603 5118 / 082 472 0189 / 082 777 0202