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FXI concerned over political suppression of free expression
The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) expressed its concern yesterday, 5 December 2006, over a recent incident in Potchefstroom where posters put up by local lobby group Aksiegroep Potchefstroom were pulled down by traffic officers, allegedly for political reasons. "Our concern in this matter is not just about Potchefstroom; similar instances of larger political parties using their political muscle to suppress free expression are being reported to us from various small towns and cities," said the FXI in a press statement.
According to the FXI, it is a trend that is disturbing: "It seems that politicians in such areas believe that the geographical remoteness of their areas from the larger metropolitan areas provides them with protection to be able to act unconstitutionally and illegally with impunity. This is a matter of grave concern."
The Aksiegroep Potchefstroom, which includes a number of stakeholders from the city, is co-ordinating a campaign to protest against the proposed name change of the city of Potchefstroom.
When President Thabo Mbeki was to visit the town recently, the organisation prepared for his visit by printing A1 posters that read: "Mr President, name change doesn't promote nation building" and "Mnr. Die president, Potchefstroom se 168 jaar erfenis is vir almal kosbaar! Kom ons behou dit" ("Mr President, Potchefstroom's 168- year heritage is precious to us all! Let's retain it!").
The group had decided to erect the posters onto light poles in the city, particularly near the venue of President Mbeki's lecture and ensured that the requisite approval for the erection had been obtained from the City Council and that the required deposit had been paid. The posters were erected on the morning of 26 November 2006, before the president arrived in the city.
An Aksiegroep representative says he then received a phone call from the acting traffic chief, informing him that, despite the legality of the posters, the ones near the Banqueting Hall where President Mbeki was due to speak would be removed. The acting chief claimed he was following instructions given to him by his political head. Thereafter, traffic police removed the posters.
The FXI press statement continues: "Such high-handedness from council officials and police shows a blatant disregard for the democratic rights of citizens to free expression and for the rule of law.
"We wonder what point there is to having municipal rules and by-laws when individual councillors are able to, according to their political whims, instruct municipal officials to violate those rules and by-laws whenever those councillors' political parties are criticised."
