Media Statement

The African National Congress (ANC) condemns in the strongest possible terms the alleged social media remarks attributed to Sello Lemonka Gemba, who is purported to be an ANC supporter, in which he is alleged to have called for the rape and killing of Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, and subsequently indicated that he stood by those remarks. If accurately attributed to him, such utterances are vile, reprehensible and wholly incompatible with the values, traditions and political culture of the ANC. There can never be political, personal or ideological justification for incitement to rape, murder or any form of violence against another person.

The ANC rejects any attempt by individuals to associate such conduct with our movement or to use purported support for the ANC as a shield for violent, misogynistic or criminal rhetoric. Whatever disagreements, disputes or differences may exist between Sello Lemonka Gemba and Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, these can never justify or excuse language that allegedly calls for her rape or killing. No disagreement gives anyone licence to threaten the life, bodily integrity or dignity of another person. Such alleged conduct is particularly reprehensible in a society confronting the persistent scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, and it must be rejected without qualification.

The ANC calls upon the appropriate law-enforcement authorities to investigate these allegations without fear, favour or prejudice and, where the evidence establishes criminal conduct, to act decisively in accordance with the law. Social media is not a lawless space, and freedom of expression cannot be distorted into a licence to threaten, intimidate or incite violence. Should it be established that the individual concerned is an ANC member, the organisation’s internal processes must equally take their course. The ANC distances itself unequivocally from the alleged remarks and calls upon all its members and supporters to uphold the values of human dignity, non-sexism, non-violence and respect for the rule of law.

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