24 August 2000
The South African Communist Party is shocked and outraged at the release of Eugene Terreblanche on parole. Given the seriousness of the crimes he was convicted for (racially-motivated attempted murder and assault), he cannot be treated as any other prisone r.
The message being sent out by Terreblanche's release is "if you are white, rich and powerful, you can be racist and break the law". Terreblanche's release emphasises the need for speedy and fundamental transformation of our criminal justice system. Compare d to the inefficiencies and abuse endured by poor black people in this system, Terreblanche+IBk-s release is a slap on the face of the struggle to defeat racism, build non-racism and provide an efficient and committed service to the poor and working people .
Even worse, is the knowledge that many white farmers, like Terreblanche himself, subject more than 1 million black farm-workers to racist abuse and violence. In most cases these workers do not even have access to legal remedies and police protection.
It is about time that our country pays serious attention to the problem of racism. The SACP calls on government to take steps to enforce existing anti-racist legislation in order to close loopholes such as those which led to Terreblanche's release.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel - 011 339-3621/2
Fax - 011 339-4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org