ANC: Motshekga won't apologise over 'dogs' statement

African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) president Angie Motshekga will not apologise for her “dogs” statement as she had not intended to offend anyone, the ANC said on Thursday.

Referring to dissidents led by Terror Lekota and Mluleki George, Motshekga said on Monday: “Now that the dogs are leaving, there will be peace and we will be stronger. The dogs arrived in the ANC and they have left.”

ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu said on Thursday that Motshekga would not be making an apology.

“Angie Motshekga, the president of the ANCWL, did not intend to offend anybody when she said the ANC did not go to the dogs.

“All she was saying after the resignations of some former ANC leaders is that the ANC is still intact—and therefore this does not warrant any apology to the United Democratic Movement or any other opposition party,” said Sokutu.

This was in response to the United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (Udemwo) calling for Motshekga to apologise.

“We challenge Motshekga to apologise. She should be aware that what goes around comes around; she must not be surprised when in future her juniors refer to her as a “dog” because they will be emulating her,” said Udemwo in a statement issued on Thursday.

Udemwo secretary general Kobela Raletjena said Motshekga ought not to refer to human beings as “dogs”.

“This is totally immoral and unethical,” she said.

Udemwo said this undermined the country’s Constitution when individuals who exercised their rights were labelled with insults and were threatened.—Sapa