THE South African government “will not tolerate” any violent protests at a UN conference on racism starting in Durban on August 31, Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said on Sunday. “We do not see any reason whatsoever for anyone to be violent in Durban on an issue about racism,” she told SABC television. “My message to protesters is … they are welcome to protest peacefully, but we will not tolerate violence.” She added that it was unrealistic to expect that the conference would not discuss what was happening in the Middle East, and that slavery would definitely feature on the agenda. She said the equation of Zionism with racism was still on the agenda. – AFP