Johannesburg -
The ANC in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday condemned the booing of President Jacob Zuma at the memorial for former president Nelson Mandela at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg.
“Those hooligans misrepresented the people of this country by acting in a manner not befitting the occasion of paying our last respect to comrade Mandela,” provincial secretary Lubabalo Mabuyane said in a statement.
“We appeal to all South Africans to refrain from acting and behaving in a manner that attempts to embarrass this country and the Mandela family.”
The province was holding a memorial for Mandela on Friday. Mabuyane said the African National Congress was appealing to people who wanted to display such “hooliganism” to rather stay at home.
“We will not tolerate booing and any form of disrespect. Only people who want to pay their last respect to Madiba must attend the provincial memorial service and the funeral service this weekend,” he said.
Each time Zuma's image appeared on the big screen at the memorial for Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday, many in the crowd booed.
The programme director, ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, asked the crowd a number of times to show restraint and be disciplined. People also interrupted tributes by some foreign heads of state to cheer their favourite politicians.
The Young Communist League of SA on Wednesday said the booing was despicable.
“This was a well-planned and co-ordinated action by people who are hell-bent on disrespecting the president,” spokesman Khaya Xaba said in a statement.
“This contemptible behaviour must be condemned, as it was a direct insult on the memory of Tata Mandela.”
The YCLSA said those who booed and heckled should hang their heads in shame. - Sapa