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PRESS RELEASES
RESOURCE
Advocacy against witch-hunts A Pagan Witches Touchstone
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REVIEW of Witchcraft Suppression Act The South African Law Reform Commission has confirmed that a lead researcher (Ms Jennifer Joni) and Project Leader (Judge Dennis Davis) has been designated for Project 135: The Review of Witchcraft Legislation, as approved by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in September 2010. An Issue paper is currently being developed in order to stimulate debate on issues arising from the legislation and request for review requested by SAPRA in February 2007. The Minister of Justice will appoint an Advisory Committee to guide the research in the near future. |
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Re: Naidoo: witchcraft to blame
The Commissioner has confirmed her committment by undertaking to launch the '30 Days' campaign in Maupye (Limpopo), one of three identified refugee villages occupied by South African citizens who have been falsely accused of either being witches or of engaging in witchcraft. On behalf of this Alliance, I once again appeal to the South African Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Gender Equality to give their unwavering support to Commissioner Mkhwanazi-Xaluva and the Commission during this period. To this end, I wish to remind all parties hereto of a previous committment undertaken by government and civil society in 1998. Find below a copy of a declaration undersigned by the Commission on Gender Equality in 1998, entitled 'The Thohoyandou Declaration on Ending Witchcraft Violence'. I would draw your attention to the fact that none of the noble recommendations made in this wonderful declaration were ever implemented by the Commission for Gender Equality. I hope that this year's advocacy campaign will indeed receive the full support of this government and other relevant Chapter 9 institutions without further hesitation, and that *suggested recommendations contained within this declaration will be reviewed and implemented without further delay.
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I have (on behalf of this Alliance) been sending proper press releases on the '30 days of advocacy against witch-hunts' campaign for the last four years to S.A. newspapers in print and online, as well as to various television and radio media stations. With very few exceptions, in the first year of this campaign when SAfm responded positively, not once has any S.A. editor deigned to publish anything on this advocacy campaign.
The following public apology from African Tails has been received by SAPRA.
The South African Pagan Rights Alliance, a registered religious organization in South Africa representing actual Witches, has lodged a formal complaint against African Tails, with the South African Human Rights Commission, for the following prejudicial statement posted on their Facebook page... quote: "This is one lucky dog - saved from certain torture. Our Daring Darling Dog Dude, Douglas, managed to get her surrendered with ease. He questioned the woman about Florence and why she was discarded in the bin and she said: "the dog was dying anyway". We have it out the witches' mouth that she placed Florence in there alive, failing to seek help, when we have a pronounced presence in the area. We are just so relieved that her other dog is now in our care and we will continue to monitor that she never obtains another animal and will pursue a case of cruelty with the SPCA's assistance." [African Tails] Using the term 'witch' to describe someone who abuses animals, when the abuser does not identify as a Witch, portrays Witches in general, South African citizens who have the constitutional right to dignity, as animal abusers. Stereotyping Witches as a danger to society encourages accusations of witchcraft and incites witch-hunts. The members of this organization who do identify as Witches are not animal abusers, and we object to being stereotyped as a danger to animals on a public forum.
With reference to a recent Sowetan report entitled 'Uproar over witchcraft', the South African Pagan Rights Alliance (SAPRA) condemns the reported accusations of witchcraft in Limpopo by members of the community. It remains illegal to make any accusation of witchcraft against any person.This Alliance calls on the SAPS to immediately arrest and charge members of said community in order to prevent these accusations from leading to violence. SAPRA calls on local and provincial authorities to intervene without delay and to publicly condemn accusations of witchcraft and witch-hunts in Limpopo.We call on all South Africans to support '30 days of advocacy against witch-hunts' (29 March to 27 April). |
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Note: ** indicate documentation which does not originate from nor belong to Sapra. This documentation is used here with permission. ***S.A. Legislation. |
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