17 July 2003
The African National Congress has noted the finding of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) tribunal regarding the Freedom Front's appeal on the 'Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer' slogan.
The ANC respects the tribunal's findings and commends the SAHRC for the earnest attention it gave this matter.
The ANC's position on this matter was conveyed to the SAHRC by ANC Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe in a letter sent on 5 May 2003. Among other things, Motlanthe noted that: "The utterance has never been, cannot and never will be a slogan of the ANC, nor be used by the ANC at all."
He drew attention to President Thabo Mbeki's speech in Parliament on 19 June 2002, in which he said: "Nobody, whoever they are, has the right to call for the killing of farmers or Boers, nor the right to threaten violence to advance their particular goals."
The ANC welcomes the finding of the SAHRC appeal tribunal that no evidence exists to suggest that the ANC encouraged either directly or indirectly the chanting of the slogan at either of the events cited by the Freedom Front.
The ANC reaffirms the position it has held over several decades that all South Africans, regardless of race, sex or class, have equal rights to dignity, security and justice.
Issued by African National Congress
17 July 2003
More information:
Smuts Ngonyama 082 569 2061