Gay groups have demanded that Western Cape premier Peter Marais resign and apologise for anti-homosexual statements made at the weekend.
Marais claimed a ”gay lobby” in the Democratic Alliance was seeking to destroy him because of his verbal attacks on homosexuals.
”They want to attack my image as a Christian by attaching sleaze to me so that this will make my argument against homosexuals less credible,” he was quoted as saying.
Marais made the claim after three more women went public with complaints of sexual harassment against him, in the wake of a lawsuit by his New National Party (NNP) colleague Dr Audrey van Zyl.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GLA) demanded on Monday that Marais step down from the premiership, and said it intended to mobilise demonstrations against him this week.
”The gay message to the Western Cape premier is loud,” said GLA president Juan-Duval Uys. ”Remove yourself and deal with your (harassment) dilemma outside that office! You targeted the wrong community!”
A Cape Town-based gay lobby group, the Triangle Project, called on Marais to retract his comments and deal with the sexual allegations against him.
Representative Duncan Andrew said it was highly unlikely that any political organisation would allow a group of its members to plot against someone purely on the basis of sexual orientation.
”Marais is a desperate man, throwing up anything he can to deflect from the real issue. As a man of his stature he should apologise,” he said.
ANC Western Cape secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha said in a statement that though his party did not necessarily agree with Marais, it respected his right to voice his opinions.
”Fortunately all party political and personal opinions are subject to the Constitution… and we have no doubt that the premier’s respect for the Constitution is undiminished.”
The party’s provincial working committee is expected to discuss the allegations against Marais when it meets on Monday night.
ANC representative Gert Witbooi said the party would issue a further statement after the meeting.
”Whatever allegations have been levelled against Mr Marais, the ANC wants to ensure that the provincial government continues its programmes of service delivery and remains stable,” he said.
NNP national executive director Renier Schoeman said the NNP subscribed to the constitutional provision that the state should not unfairly discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
”Mr Marais has expressed his personal view on the matter,” Schoeman said.
”He is under an orchestrated attack by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and has conveyed his impressions of who is driving this process against him.”
Earlier, the DA’s acting chief executive in the Western Cape, Robin Carlisle said there was no homosexual pressure group in the DA, nor was there any other group pressuring its leadership to go after Marais.
Marais’ homophobic statements directly contradicted the constitutional guarantee of equality to all citizens including those whose sexual preferences might differ from his own.
”When Marais was appointed premier of this province, he swore an oath to defend the Constitution. He is now in breach of that oath.”
Carlisle said Marais’ ”expressed sexual bigotry and intolerance” lent credence to the allegations against him. – Sapa
Matter of fact
The Mail&Guardian Online earlier incorrectly referred to ANC representative Gert Witbooi as an NNP member. We regret the error.