Cape Town – The Nelson Mandela Foundation has asked whether it is time to ban the old South African flag after the furore it created around the Black Monday marches on October 30.

“Is it time to criminalise displays of the old flag?” asked the foundation set up in the late former President Nelson Mandela’s name, on Sunday.

“Is there a connection between the hubris of the Black Monday protests and the deep well of rage which underlies individual cases of murder on white-owned farms?

“How do we foster a collective revulsion at the murder of any South African, regardless of categorisation? Can we turn our country from one defined by violence into one inspired by Madiba’s dream of freedom?”

The Black Monday protests were arranged as a response to the murders of farmers in SA. However, it also created a debate over whether the protesters would have been as sympathetic if victims were black.

Critics also questioned whether the police would have allowed black protesters to block national highways as the Black Monday protesters did.

The foundation said that it was “deeply concerned” about the “us and them” tone of the Black Monday protests which it felt had a dividing effect.

“There is no doubt that the Black Monday protests have deepened divides in South Africa.

“The Nelson Mandela Foundation has spent a week reflecting and consulting with stakeholders. We welcome, for instance, AgriSA’s assurance to us that it supports the Constitution’s provision for national symbols and distances itself from displays of the old flag like we saw a week ago.”

Source: http://www.news24.com

Picture: (Deceased, Katlego Zethi and her daughter during happier times)

By REGINALD KANYANE

A DOUBLE Murder case against Taung pastor, Sabata Mannie was transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng. Mannie (30) was arrested and charged with two counts of murder after he allegedly killed his girlfriend, Katlego Zethi (28) and her two year-old daughter.

The atrocity took place last year in October at Taung Ext 6. According to police, the suspect handed himself over at Taung Police Station. He allegedly informed the police about the incident and later took them to the crime scene. The police said they found the victims lying dead inside the house next to the toilet.

It is alleged that the suspect strangled the victims to death. Katlego Zethi was a daughter to the former speaker of Greater Taung Local Municipality, Deliwe Zethi.

  The North West panel of judges are expected to discuss the merit of the case on November 8. They will also set the date for trial after intensive discussions. The suspect is still in custody after he was denied bail during his previous court appearance.

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