'We are prepared to die'
2008-06-28 13:18
Johannesburg - Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Saturday he was committed to die in defence of "one another and for our revolution".
" We are prepared to die in defence of one another and for our revolution. And that is why we cannot apologise for being revolutionaries," said Vavi addressing guests at unionist Bheki Mkhize's tombstone unveiling in Ulundi, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
He praised Mkhize for his commitment to the union and to the African National Congress (ANC).
"The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the liberals, and now surprisingly the Human Rights Commission would be horrified that Mkhize was so ready to die for his people."
Vavi said all those who were distressed by "our commitment to lay down our own lives for our revolution, who do not come from this tradition, need to understand that this is not a empty commitment ".
"It's a real commitment. This is no propaganda, it's demonstration of love for basic freedoms enshrined in the constitution," he said.
On Tuesday, Vavi was given 14 days by the SA Human Rights Commission to retract his "kill for Zuma" statement made last weekend.
At the time, SAHRC spokesperson Vincent Moaga said if Vavi failed to retract the commission could subpoena him to appear before it and after that it would issue findings and recommendations on the matter.
The recommendations could be getting an order from the Equality Court which would prohibit Vavi from uttering such statements in future and that if he does he could be charged with in contempt of court, said Moaga.
On Saturday, Vavi said to "them" there is no longer a revolution because the country has a new constitution and a bill of rights.
"But to us who made supreme sacrifices in the past and who are willing to make supreme sacrifices in the future in defence of our revolutionary gains, the revolution is far from being over."
Vavi said he has absolute respect for the commission and its mandate but "I do believe that they too may unwittingly abuse the rights of other citizens".
"I will be writing a letter to them in the coming week to explain why I am not a danger to peace and to our constitution and why it is wrong to interpret my commitment to the revolution, its leadership and other comrades as a threat to the constitution, peace and our country. "
He said he hope they will understand why "I cannot apologise and why I am prepared to be imprisoned if necessary for my political beliefs".
- SAPA