/ 17 December 2001

PAC LAUNCHES VICIOUS ATTACK ON MANDELA

FORMER president Nelson Mandela on Friday became the victim of an extraordinary personal attack by Pan Africanist Congress secretary general Thami ka Plaatjie. ”Mandela must be advised to take a break from active politics,” Plaatjie said in a statement. ”Aging is taking a heavy toll on him on his views. It is a great pity that we are unable to recommend to him some form political old age home (sic). ”His persistent support of the Americans against (Osama) Bin Ladin is sad reflection on the lack of tact, commonsense and diplomacy (sic). ”Perhaps he needs to pay some debt to the American colonialist. Even if that is the case he should by now have finished his payment. ”The whole world calls for caution and the (a)micable resolution of the American and Afghanistan war, instead the ‘Miracle Maker’ calls for war. What a contradiction,” Plaatjie said.- Sapa