Pretoria - Cabinet says it is concerned by the incitement of racial tension and violence by public figures, which detracts from democracy.
“We should also continue to respect the rule of law and speak out against unconstitutional calls to illegally occupy land in our communities,” Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Jeff Radebe said on Thursday.
He was speaking to the media after Cabinet’s regular fortnightly meeting.
Minister Radebe said South Africans must also condemn “detrimental influences” such as the racist assault of Rethabile Victor Mlotshwa.
In a video that has gone viral, Mlotshwa is seen being forced into a coffin by two farmers, who thought he was attempting to invade their land near Middelburg. He sobs as one of the farmers tries to force the top of the coffin shut, threatening to douse him with petrol.
The two farmers appeared in Middelburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The case was postponed to 25 January 2017. The two accused have abandoned their bail application.
Probe into rhino horn claims
Meanwhile, Cabinet noted the allegations made in an Al Jazeera documentary, The Poacher's Pipeline, against State Security Minister David Mahlobo.
The executive also noted that the South African Police Service is investigating the allegations.
“Government has been at the forefront of the fight against environmental crimes. This includes work done within the security services as part of government’s efforts to curb transnational organised crime and to ensure that justice prevails against those involved in syndicates,” Minister Radebe said.
The documentary implicated the Minister, alleging that he has close ties with an illegal rhino horn trader, who is the owner of a local Mbombela spa.
While admitting to visiting the spa, Minister Mahlobo dismissed any linkage to the illegal trader or knowledge of what he is involved in.
Minister Mahlobo has asked the Mpumalanga police commissioner to probe all allegations made against him in the documentary. - SAnews.gov.za
