The Hon. President of the Republic of South Africa 4th June 2012

Mr. Jacob Zuma.

PRETORIA

Sir

The Media Review Network(MRN) and the Muslim Judicial Council(MJC) are astonished and dumbfounded that the Democratic Alliance (DA), with Patricia de Lille in tandem, have announced their intentions to bestow the freedom of the City of Cape Town on Barack Obama.

Our understanding to bequeath such an honour on any individual is based on outstanding achievements which distinguishes him or her as being a member of the human society par excellence.

On becoming President of the US in 2009, Obama’s speech in Cairo on the ME peace process was morally bankrupt as any of his predecessor’s. He has not brought the world any closer to peace, as the US Memorial Day suggests. Instead he has continued on the path of retaining the mantra of ‘permanent war’ accompanied by zero accountability.

Obama’s intimate role in authorizing US drone attacks overseas is a cold-blooded account of how he and his disciples in Washington decide on who will live and who must die. Innocent Pakistani, Yemeni, Somali and Afghani civilians have lost their lives or have suffered traumatic injuries that have changed their lives forever. This is in clear violation of the due process of the law, which is a corner stone of any civilized society.

This invitation undoubtedly has a self-serving motive. By asking the Presidency to ratify the invitation, the DA is hoping to make political capital if it is turned down. The Presidency will be placed in a situation of: “damned if you do and damned if you don’t”. This political game played by the DA does not serve the national interest. On the contrary, it has the potential to create a huge international row for our country that will have wide ramifications both politically and economically. The DA has certainly not acted in the best interest of South Africa.

The MRN and the MJC urge President Zuma and the Presidency not to succumb to this form blackmail as a result of DA politicking at the behest of their financial beneficiaries. The role of corporate South Africa must not be underestimated in this bigotry.

Thank you.

Zaakir Ahmed Mayet

Chairman: Media Review Network

Ml. Ighsaan Hendricks

President: Muslim Judicial Council