Western Cape premier Peter Marais on Tuesday sought to defuse growing controversy over his views on homosexuals by saying he respected them as part of the ”colourful rainbow nation”.
In a statement issued after two days of criticism from gay lobby groups — and his political opponents and allies — Marais said remarks he made at the weekend had been misinterpreted.
Marais claimed a gay lobby in the Democratic Alliance (DA) was seeking to destroy him because of his attacks on homosexuals. He made the claim after being named in a series of sexual harassment claims by female New National Party (NNP) colleagues.
Marais said on Tuesday that he respected the Constitution and the rights it gave all citizens, including freedom of sexual orientation.
”My statements were not aimed against homosexual people, but were meant to show that a particular homosexual pressure group in the DA had taken control of the DA leadership and was busy with political plotting and a vendetta against me,” he said.
”This radical activist pressure group’s vendetta against me began in the DA when I did not want to actively promote their agenda on homosexual rights.”
He said DA leader Tony Leon had pressured him when he was Cape town mayor to make the city a homosexual tourist destination and to allow gay parades.
His standpoint was that everyone was welcome in Cape Town, but that taxpayers’ money should not be used to promote a particular sexual agenda.
This view had led to a very negative reaction from Leon and the pressure group.
”I acknowledge our homosexual community as part of the colourful rainbow nation of the Western Cape and South Africa,” he said. ”I respect the Constitution and the rights it gives to all individuals and minority groups.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape said it planned to discuss Marais’ anti-homosexual statements at a meeting with him on Thursday.
ANC provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha said on Tuesday the meeting was one of a series of regular consultations between the leaders of the coalition partners in the province.
However, the ANC could not ignore the premier’s controversial views. ”We’ll definitely be raising this particular issue,” he said.
In a statement after a meeting of the ANC’s provincial working committee on Monday night, Skwatsha said his party’s position on the matter was clear.
”The ANC condemns without reservation discrimination against any group, including homosexuals, and reaffirms the protection afforded to them under the Constitution.”
The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project on Tuesday added its voice to the outrage expressed by other gay and lesbian groups at Marais’ comments.
It said Marais was facing serious sexual misconduct charges.
”We believe his statements regarding (a) homosexual plot against him, harks of similar attempts by the likes of (Zimbabwean president Robert) Mugabe and (Namibian head of state Sam) Nujoma to divert attention from their own lack of performance and misconduct.”
The project called on Marais to immediately withdraw and apologise for his ”offensive” remarks. – Sapa