The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns in the strongest possible terms the defamatory Facebook page containing vicious attacks on DA leader Helen Zille. The fact that Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba was listed as one of the administrators of the page is quite outrageous and warrants an immediate response from the ANC leadership (see story). An administrator is able to modify and edit the page and thus Mr Gigaba would have played an instrumental role in developing the content of the page in question.

The fact that both Mr Gigaba, and the ANC Youth League's Floyd Shivambu, have now both mysteriously disappeared as administrators of the page demonstrates that the ANC spindoctors are now trying to hurriedly cover up the affair. It won't work. A cabinet minister has agreed to have his name associated with a vile, dishonest attack, demonstrating either gross naivety or a callous disregard to the principles and duties entrusted to persons in his office.

Mr Gigaba must either unequivocally condemn the contents of the page and apologise or resign with immediate effect.

Statement issued by Juanita Terblanche, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of home affairs, May 19 2009

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter