The Afrikaner think-tank, the Group of 63, on Sunday rejected what it called insinuations in newspapers that it had links with rightwing terror groups as ”laughable, mean and slanderous”.
Group of 63 leader, Professor Danie Goosen said in a statement released on Sunday afternoon that the media reports were an attempt to place the organisation under suspicion.
”The insinuation made … to the effect that there exists a link between rightist bombers and the Group of 63 is laughable, mean and a slanderous attempt made by our country’s intelligence forces to cast a cloud of suspicion over the Group of 63 as a democratic and moderate interpreter of Afrikaans interests,” Goosen said. He said the reports violated the organisation’s freedom of speech and was an ”infringement against the very essence of democracy.
”It is an attempt to intimidate and silence the Group,” he added.
”It betrays a worrisome lack of tolerance for those who publicly place the problems of the Afrikaans minority on the national agenda.”
Goosen said the Group of 63 condemned the Soweto bombings from the start.
”They truly taint the character of and respect for the Afrikaans people because they once again link him with rightist fundamentalism and with racism.”
Goosen repeated the organisation’s call that the sense of alienation experienced by Afrikaner people should be investigated along with the prosecution of the bombers.
”The conclusions drawn by several recent research projects indicate the widespread existence of alienation among Afrikaners — an alienation which can directly be traced back to the powerlessness of the Afrikaans minority and to certain government policies.”
He accused the government of censuring the debate and dialogue about the alienation of Afrikaners and said the process would damage the South African democracy.
”People who do not want to address the alienation felt in Afrikaner ranks, directly play into the hands of the perpetrators of violence who thrive in such a climate.”
Goosen said the Group of 63 would continue ”in responsible fashion” with its campaign to further the legitimate interests of the Afrikaans minority.
”By doing so, we believe we are not only contributing to the fight against foolish rightist extremists, but also against a culture of pernicious conformism and parrotry.
”Intimidation by the state and slander shall not deter the Group, nor mute its voice of moderation,” Goosen concluded. – Sapa