of DA Chief Whip, Mr Douglas Gibson, MP
4 September 2006
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka today rejected out of hand
Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip, Mr Douglas Gibsonâs defence for his
invasion of Mrs Zanele Mbekiâs privacy and called on him to unreservedly and
publicly apologise.
The Deputy President made the call in her capacity as leader of government
business in parliament. The call follows Mr Gibson's last Friday's invitation
and escort of an entourage of members of the media to Mrs Mbeki's Johannesburg
private residence.
The Deputy President said that Mr Gibson's behaviour was an invasion of Mrs
Mbeki's privacy and injurious to her dignity as a citizen. She added that the
conduct was indefensible and lacked all forms of common decency and unbecoming
of a senior parliamentarian.
Mr Gibson's disrespect for a fellow citizen came, significantly, from a
leader of a political party which purports to respect private property and
individual freedoms. It would equally be a sad day for democracy if invasion of
privacy became the norm of politics. This behaviour therefore cheapens
parliamentary democracy and reaches a new low in oppositional politics.
It is obvious that Mr Gibson was out to embarrass Mrs Mbeki, the government
and the governing party seeking as usual to present his party as the assumed
custodian of public probity.
In this context, the Deputy President calls on Mr Gibson to issue an
unconditional public apology to Mrs Mbeki.
For more information please contact:
Thabang Chiloane
Deputy Presidentâs Spokesperson
Cell: 082 888 8783
Issued by: The Presidency
4 September 2006
