MAKHAZA TOILETS JUDGMENT EXPOSES DA'S RACISM

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes the judgment handed down today (29 April 2011) in the Western Cape High Court, which ruled that the Democratic Alliance-led City of Cape Town's construction of unenclosed toilets at the Makhaza informal settlement on the Cape Flats meant that the council had lost sight of the constitutional rights and needs of the poor.

Not only is this landmark judgment a vindication of the long-held ANC view shared by many people - particularly the poor Black working class of the Western Cape - that the DA is a racist political party only committed to protecting the last vestiges and policies of apartheid, but that its building of unenclosed toilets in Makhaza show total disrespect for Black dignity.

Judge Nathan Erasmus should be applauded by all South Africans for exposing the DA's violation of human rights and the need to protect Makhaza residents' constitutional rights to dignity.

We have all along maintained that the DA, which creates an impression of espousing liberal values, is nothing else but a racist political party merely interested in protecting white privileges and those of the DA elite at the expense of the poor working class residing in such squalid conditions as seen in Makhaza, Mannenburg, Mitchell's Plain, Gugulethu and Nyanga - to name a few.

We have always called on DA leader Helen Zille to climb down from her high horse and clean up her backyard in the Western Cape before venturing into unwarranted attacks on the progressive leadership of the ANC, with a track record of building better communities in South Africa.

As we edge closer to Election Day, the judgement should serve as a reminder to the South African electorate - particularly Blacks - that all that the DA is interested in, is their votes and not their dignity, welfare and livelihood. It is not, and will never be a political home for Black people who include Africans, Coloureds and Indians. It is not a party to be trusted and be voted into power by our people. Despite its desperation and attempts to confuse Blacks of its true identity, the Makhaza judgment remains a chilling reminder showing on whose side Zille and his bunch of racist lackeys are on.

Statement issued by Jackson Mthembu, ANC national spokesperson, April 29 2011

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