Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi on Monday sought to refute perceptions that IFP MP Dr Gavin Woods was a ”token” appointment because he was disabled.
”Dr Woods is both a gifted public representative and a courageous man with a first-class intellect,” Buthelezi said in a statement.
”I also believe he is one of the finest parliamentarians of our time. We all have a huge debt to pay to Dr Woods.”
Buthelezi drew sharp criticism for suggesting in a letter in a weekend newspaper that Woods would have been fired long ago were it not for his physical disabilities.
Buthelezi’s remarks came after a critical internal discussion document prepared by Woods said the IFP was in a downward spiral.
In his letter, Buthelezi said he respected Woods’ views but felt the MP had ”mis-assessed the situation in the party”.
He said Woods had stopped attending national council meetings or annual conferences of the IFP some years ago.
”Were Dr Woods not physically challenged, his membership of Parliament should have been ended up by the party long ago, for he participates in no other activity of the party apart from Parliament,” Buthelezi wrote.
On Monday, Buthelezi said his remarks were misunderstood.
”The point I wished to make was that Dr Woods’s disability prevents him from participating in our national council where party policy and decision-making is taken,” said Buthelezi.
”According to our party’s constitution, non-attendance would normally disqualify people from Parliament. An exception is, of course, made for Dr Woods for the reasons I have stated.”
Buthelezi’s letter raised the ire of bodies representing the disabled.
He issued an unconditional apology to them.
”If my remarks have caused offence to disabled people, including Dr Woods, I unreservedly apologise. I would be the last person to knowingly cause offence to people who are physically challenged.”
Woods himself was reluctant to comment on the issue, saying: ”I’m pretty sure he’ll offer an explanation and I need to study that explanation to decide whether I should comment.”
Woods said his position is a ”bit of a catch-22 situation” and he needs to be careful of how he responds to the issue.
Before Buthelezi issued his explanation, human rights commissioner Karthy Govender said he will discuss the issue with his colleagues to decide whether they should investigate the matter.
Govender said the Human Rights Commission has the power to take on cases without a complainant or, as in this case, if a complaint is lodged by another group or person other than Woods who feels they were affected by Buthelezi’s statements.
He did not want to go into detail because he did not have all the relevant documents and statements. — Sapa