ACDP Calls on Sports Minister to publicly apologise for abusive comments

MEDIA RELEASE
ACDP President: Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP
21 January 2014

ACDP Calls on Sports Minister to publicly apologise for abusive comments

* says Mbalula comments display lack of composure, self-control and leadership skills


ACDP Member of Parliament, Rev Kenneth Meshoe, today took Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to task for statements he made at a press briefing yesterday, 20 January 2014, following Bafana Bafana’s disappointing exit from the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) soccer tournament.

Meshoe said, “It was shocking and frankly unacceptable that the minister publically insulted the Bafana Bafana team by referring to them as a ‘bunch of losers’ and further referring to them as ‘unbearable, useless individuals’. These comments were broadcast throughout the country and internationally.

The minister failed to show composure, self-control and leadership in difficult circumstances and clearly thought nothing of infringing upon the personal rights to respect and dignity of members of the Bafana Bafana team.

In stark contrast, Mbalula stated on 12 January 2014 that he was encouraged by the national team’s performance in the opening game of group A and praised the character of the team especially after Bafana were forced to come from a goal down to see out the victory.

The ACDP calls on the minister to retract his comments and apologise publicly to every member of the team, its management and all South Africans for his abusive comments.”