POLITICS

Max du Preez article racially derogatory - Motshekga

ANC chief whip lays complaint with press ombudsman over Cape Times column

ANC CHIEF WHIP'S COMPLAINT TO THE OMBUDSMAN ON THE CAPE TIMES COLUMN

2 March 2011

The Chief Whip of the ANC in Parliament, Dr Mathole Motshekga, today lodged a complaint with the Press Ombudsman against the Cape Times and its columnist, Max Du Preez, regarding the racially derogatory article published in the newspaper yesterday, 1 March 2011.

Below is a copy of the letter sent to the Press Ombudsman today:

The Press Ombudsman
P O Box 47221
Parklands 2121
2 March 2010

Dear Sir,

RE - COMPLAINT TO THE PRESS OMBUDSMAN REGARDING THE CAPE TIMES COLUMN

I hereby wish to lodge a complaint with the Press Ombudsman regarding the article published in the Cape Times of 1 March 2010, written by the paper's columnist Max Du Preez, under the headline "Black rulers' whitewash of coloureds".

In this column, Du Preez makes racially disparaging claims on the coloured community, by claiming that unlike other South Africans, Coloured people have no roots and belonging.

I believe the following remarks are particularly offensive: "This rootlessness of most coloured people, this sense they got over centuries of not belonging, is the only reason why gangsterism is so rife in that community. Gangsterism is almost always yearning for a tribe, an attempt to belong".

The suggestion that most coloured people are criminals and that, because of their alleged ‘lack of belonging' or ‘roots', turn to the life of crime for solace or sense of belonging, is highly offensive and portrays the worst form of racial stereotype. No evidence can be produced to support these derogatory and preposterous claims.

The South African Press Code is unambiguous in its discouragement of racist remarks in the press. In terms of the Code:

1. The Press should avoid discriminatory or denigratory references to people's race, colour, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, physical or mental disability or illness, or age.

2. The Press should not refer to person's race, colour, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, physical or mental illness in a prejudicial or pejorative context except where it is strictly relevant to the matter reported or adds significantly to readers' understanding of the matter.

I am of a strong view that the Cape Times should not have published Du Preez's piece, as it is in plain violation of the Press Code. I therefore request that the Ombudsman instructs both the newspaper and the writer to retract the article and offer an unreserved apology to South Africans, particularly our Coloured people, for these derogatory and racist views.

I request that the Ombudsman study the complaint and make an appropriate judgement.

Yours truly:

Dr. Mathole S Motshekga
Chief Whip of the Majority Party in Parliament
Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
Cape Town

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, March 2 2011

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