Democracy in the rainbow nation.

We should not, for one moment underestimate the political intolerance and the even more dangerous mob mentality. We very recently witnessed this same intolerance in Zimbabwe - and the snowball effect of mob mentality in the so called xenophobic attacks throughout South Africa.

This situation can and will get out of hand if it is not dealt with right now.

Regrettably the ANC has been deathly silent in their criticism of this thuggery, which is most certainly interpreted by their supporters as a green light to continue.

ANC supporters attack DA branch chairman and secretary with axe and torch their shack.

Letter published in The Citizen newspaper 27 October 2008.

I accompanied Helen Zille on a visit to the scene of an attack on DA members in the shack settlement of Mogoba on the East Rand. There we saw the burnt-out shack of local DA branch chairman Collen Mdluli. Helen met and comforted Mdluli’s wife Busi and Ntombi the wife of branch secretary Thokozani Nhleko, who is in hospital with an axe wound in his head.

They were attacked on Monday morning by a group who local people identified as being prominent in the ANC. Their attackers accused them of “bringing the DA to the area” and vowed to drive them out.

They also stole party membership lists from the shack before it was burned. Members on that list have been threatened.

They say ANC members have told them their houses will be burned too.

In response to a DA statement on this incident in Parliament, the ANC’s Deputy Justice Minister Johnny de Lange said the whole incident was a “DA publicity stunt”.

To say that response was beneath contempt would be understating it. For De Lange to hold the position of one of the custodians of our justice system is an obscenity.

A case has been opened at Putfontein police station and we expect those responsible to be brought to justice. Perhaps De Lange could visit Thokozani Nhleko in hospital and see for himself the ruins of Collen Mdluli’s home. Perhaps he is disinclined to leave the comforts of Parliament to see the real consequences of his attitude.

Once he has apologized he should be made to resign as he is clearly unfit for office.