Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Ruling coalition in South Africa Breaking Up?

Thomas Riggins

I hope not, but the New York Times' Celia W. Dugger reports (6-2-10) that
the 2 million strong labor federation COSATU has stated it will quit the African National Congress if its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi is sanctioned for critical comments he made about the ANC.

Mr.Vati said that the ANC was seen as "soft" about government ministers engaged in corruption. I hope COASATU and the ANC don't split up. Mr. Vati has the right, in my way of thinking, to express his opinions and it is wrong to punish people for expressing themselves.

South African democracy must protect and not punish people because of critical comments. The better action for the ANC would be to prove Mr. Vati incorrect or to correct the conditions he has complained about.