Chief turns away MP over no skirt

2011-12-03 14:26

Johannesburg - The local traditional leader in Daantjie, Mpumalanga, banned a Democratic Alliance MP from the home affairs office because she was not wearing a skirt, according to a news report on Saturday.

The Saturday Star reported that during a visit to the office by the parliamentary oversight committee for home affairs, Annette Lovemore was turned away because she was not wearing a skirt.

Lovemore and committee chairwoman Maggie Maunye said they would abide by the chief's rule that no woman could enter offices in the complex unless they were wearing a skirt.

"He has a constitutional right to practise his culture," Lovemore said.

"His right does not demean my rights in anyway."

She described the visit as a humbling reminder of South Africa's multi-cultural society.

Home Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa was not in agreement, saying the incident undermined constitutional provisions and service delivery.

"Nobody can be prevented from accessing government services because of dress," he said.

- SAPA