Tutu: Watch out ANC govt, watch out!

2011-10-04 17:43

Carrin Pasley-Banks

Cape Town – A visibly angry Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has slammed the SA government for not granting Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, a visa at a press conference, in Cape Town, on Tuesday.

The Dalai Lama cancelled his planned trip to South Africa to spare the SA government any further inconvenience, his office said.

He was invited to attend the birthday celebrations of Tutu, a friend and fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner.

“Wake me up and tell this is actually happening here [in SA]. This is quite unbelievable,” Tutu said.

"Our government is worse than the apartheid government, because at least you were expecting it from the apartheid government," said Tutu.

"But our government, we were expecting more [that] we would have a government that was sensitive to the sentiments of our Constitution."

"Clearly, whether they say so or not, they were quite determined that they are not going to do anything that would upset the Chinese," Tutu said.

“May I just remind you – the minister of international relations and co-operation [Maite Nkoana-Mashabane] two years ago said the Dalai Lama can come anytime.

“She was being very, very, economical with the truth or she didn’t know her work.”

“I am warning you, watch out! Watch out!” he angrily said to the ANC government.

"Hey Mr Zuma, you and your government don't represent me. You represent your own interests. I am warning you out of love.

“One day we will be praying for the defeat of the ANC government. You are disgraceful. You have... a huge majority – that is nothing. Watch out ANC government watch out.”

The Dalai Lama's cancellation of his trip was a "dark day" for South Africa, the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre said earlier.