Shelley Finch has started an online petition to the Constitutional Court to ban the old South African flag following Black Monday protests against farm murders. The petition is calling for a law that prohibits the distribution or public use of symbols of “unconstitutional” groups.
“Events of Monday have shown that there are certain members of South African society who can’t be trusted to behave in a rational, non-confrontational, respectful manner.
“Flying the old South African flag – and singing the full verses of Die Stem in isolation from the rest of our national anthem – on a day that was ostensibly meant to unite people in a common cause, was nothing short of irresponsible and insulting to the people who were brutalised under the Apartheid system,” reads the petition.
The petition comes after some of the protesters proudly paraded the apartheid flag, receiving criticism from all political parties and their leaders.
“The African National Congress condemns the despicable and racist behaviour by some who took part in the so-called #BlackMonday campaign by groupings representing the farming community today. The racial characterisation of crime and the stoking of racial hatred by some elements in the campaign through, among others, the arrogant and offensive display of apartheid South Africa’s flag, are indicative of an unrelenting yearning for apartheid fascism and white supremacy and make a mockery of the national reconciliation project,” said the ANC in a statement.
The petition said the signatures would help in approaching a lawyer or legal adviser to advise in lobbying the court to hear the matter, adding those who wanted to keep the flag for learning purposes could visit the museums for that.
“If anyone wants to see the old South African flag for heritage or learning purposes, they will be welcome to visit one of our national or local museums, of which there are many.”
