Why is ANC alliance paying Terre'Blanche killers' legal fees? - COPE

While the murder of Eugene Terre'Blanche wasn't politically motivated, it has certainly taken on a potentially divisive political tone now as the ruling alliance has undertaken to pay for the defence of the alleged killers (see YCL statement).

This sends out the wrong message to South Africans as the ruling alliance has effectively signaled that it will defend, with all the vast resources at its disposal, anyone who kills a prominent white person. While we acknowledge that every South African has the right to an adequate defence in a court of law, the current climate of mistrust between people in this country makes this politically clumsy at best, and at worst it is cynical, political opportunism.

The ruling party has finally seen sense and called for calm and for people not to provoke each other through racial taunts. But this move by the alliance to defend these alleged killers has undercut its good work.

It is time for all South Africans to acknowledge that the ruling alliance is no longer that of Mandela and the flame of reconciliation that he so passionately championed must be reignited by ordinary South Africans. It does not appear that the ruling alliance have the will, nor the motivation to do so.

Statement issued by Phillip Dexter, MP, COPE's head of communications, April 8 2010

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I thought the fat lawyer chop was doing it for free anway Wasn't he? That's what I heard when he took the case. Or did his fevered lawyer mind know that the ANC would be rewarding him nicely in the end. Probably run for office in a few years too. by Craig on April 09 2010, 10:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ANC Alliance? The linked statement is from the YCL. Is Dexter too scared of his former SACP friends to accurately state that it is the SACP and not the ANC who are making this statement? by . on April 09 2010, 12:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Leadership What this country needs right now is leadership - A Ghandi, Mandella, Jefferson. JZ the juggler spends all his energy trying to appease all the anti-Mbeki factions that got him into power. It is important to him personally to stay there . .more otherwise he loses the R15 a year that the taxpayers fork out for his family and all the other favours that they get as "businesspeople" (can they even read a balance sheet?). Just look at the nature of the businesses that they are in - they produce nothing, but simply feed off the no-barrier-to-entry "services" sector where they can benefit from the inflated and corruptful tenders in the name of BEE. The only one with clear vision is Malema, however frightful a vision that may be. As for Zuma - he might as well be on long leave. . .less by Fidel on April 09 2010, 13:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Such nonsense If true, says it all really. Not a conspiracy, just fact at play. by tweedledee on April 09 2010, 17:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

To "ANC Alliance?" Are you to scared to post under your real name hear? I mean, perhaps Dexter has good reason to be scared. Anyway, if they are really carrying the legal cost, that shows more of the true colors then they usually do. by Andries Cloete on April 12 2010, 13:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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