Mr Speaker, the ANC condemns the recent attacks on journalists by the DA leader and Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille. In her desperation for popularity, the DA leader took to the social media platform to bully a well-known journalist, Carien du Plessis, about the reports she wrote for the City Press newspaper.
Her race-inspired hysterical attack on Du Plessis demonstrates that she is only prepared to uphold and defend constitutional values and press freedom when it suits her - a shame for a former journalist. It smacks of the actions of a prima donna and Twitter diva. The ANC will continue to support an independent media and its right to cover news fearlessly. [Interjections.]
Zille also directed another ... [Interjections.]
Order! Order!
... frenzied attack at a young journalist, Shanti Aboobaker, who dared to write about the DA's being funded by businessmen who earn their money through, inter alia, actions that result in the oppression of the people of Palestine. As a former journalist, Zille knows that she can complain about press coverage to the Press Ombudsman. We advise her to take that course and to apologise to the journalists she insulted and the media fraternity as a whole.
Journalists should stand up to her and refuse to be bullied or manipulated. The ANC finds the silence of the SA National Editors Forum deafening. The ANC fought for all freedoms, including the freedom of the press. We encourage journalists to continue to write objectively without fear or favour. [Applause.]
Order! I call on the IFP.
My apologies, Speaker.
Go ahead, sir.
The Rules prevent me from reading a second statement. Can you give our slot to a party of your choice, Mr Speaker? Thank you.
Thank you very much. We move on.