/ 8 March 2002

Thank you, Feinstein and Woods

With reference to Andrew Feinstein’s piece on Gavin Woods and the neutralisation of Scopa, “The last rites have been read” (March 1), I have never felt sadder about the state of affairs in South Africa.

Thousands of individuals who have tested the party line while diligently applying themselves to rebuilding the social fabric of our society have been marginalised or hatcheted out of the system by African National Congress representatives. At grassroots level we put it down to lack of education and foresight. But to read about this insidious practice being so crassly expedited at the highest level of our government leaves me in despair.

Ironically, the perpetrators of this disingenuous behaviour are role models for others in government and these practices are being replicated through the ranks.

The HIV/Aids policy debacle is another example.

I would like to thank both Feinstein and Woods for their extraordinary commitment to protecting my interests and those of fellow South Africans, with integrity and incisiveness. Thank you for your dedicated efforts for the broader public good have no doubt that you were greatly appreciated by many other South Africans for serving us as you have.

I fear that there are few left in the government system of the calibre of Woods and Feinstein who place good governance above party dictates. Victoria Hylton, Johannesburg

What’s with all the hue and cry over Scopa? The voice of the majority has spoken, and the rest can take a running jump.

Isn’t that what democracy is all about? Elle Wieghorst, Durban