Jessie Duarte

ANC STATEMENT ON EMERITUS ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU UTTERANCES

The ANC is increasingly disturbed by the manner in which Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu is addressing the issue of the NPA and the pending case of the President of the ANC Cde Jacob Zuma. His tone and insistence on the pending outcome of the decision of the NPA suggest that he is either knowledgeable of the decision or seeking to pre-empt an outcome that is favourable to Jacob Zuma.

This is tantamount to him undermining the independence of the NPA and the Judiciary which is unfortunate for a person of this stature. As the ANC we remain convinced that the Jacob Zuma matter must be dealt with duly in a transparent, fair and legal manner.  It would be unfortunate if the Bishop is found not to respect the rule of law and its processes.

It is our view that the Bishop views do not resonate with the dominant view of the public and the average citizens.  If the Bishop wants to pronounce on Zuma guilt and innocence at a personal level, he must say so and would find this to be out of character given his standing as a man of the cloth. It would be unfortunate if the Bishop is found pandering to the whims of the minority of South Africans who happen to have access to media and other influential platforms.

We are further disturbed by the Bishop's continued comparison of the ANC to God as this is blasphemous. The ANC has not equated itself to God and it has never pretended to be God. We are taken aback by the Bishop sacrilege.

We hold a firm view that the Bishop has access to the ANC leadership in case there are issues related to the aforementioned issue.  The ANC has before invited the Bishop to meet with the ANC President and other leaders in order to exchange view and find common ground on how to develop our country.

It is our view that if the Bishop took a walk in the streets of Gugulethu, Langa and Khayelitsha he might have a life changing experience in terms of his views. Walking the street of New York will certainly result in him having a narrow view of South Africa.

Statement issued by African National Congress spokesperson, Jessie Duarte, April 2 2009

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