ANC MP`s Message At The Police Victim`s Funeral
20 October 2009
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has noted with concern the remarks in the media attributed to an ANC Member of Parliament Angie Molebatsi during the funeral of the victim of last week`s police shooting, Olga Kekana, in Pretoria at the weekend.
Molebatsi, whose constituency includes the Stinkwater community in Pretoria, is quoted in several newspaper reports, amongst others, allegedly defending the police action, and further telling the mourners that "one way of another we are all going to die, regardless of whether a cop shoots or you were ill".
The Office of the Chief Whip has since interacted with Molebatsi with a view to get her version of the story on this matter. We have noted her explanation that her remarks, made in Setswana, were not intended to defend the brutal action of the police officers, and that her message, which was aimed at consoling the bereaved family, has been taken out of context.
The Office of the Chief Whip has no reason to doubt that the MP had the best intentions of comforting the community, particularly the family of the diseased. We believe that her intentions were however harmed by the manner in which her message was phrased.
We deeply regret this and offer our unreserved apology to the bereaved family and the Stinkwater community for the pain this may have caused.
Issued by
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip
ANC Parliamentary Caucus
Parliament of the Republic of SA
Cape Town, 8000
Enquiries:
Moloto Mothapo 082 370 6930
