Statement smacks of blasphemy

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THE DA's latest statement of "making inroads in the Eastern Cape" and saying it will not wait for Jesus to return before it takes power ("Balindlela heads DA Amathole constituency", February 25) smacks of blatant blasphemy. Statements such as these should vigorously be prohibited.

When ANC president Jacob Zuma made a similar statement, everybody was up in arms, expressing ridicule and disappointment, and rightfully so, compelling the president to apologise. But for the DA, one of the front runners of demanding such an apology, it now seems right to do so.

The DA claims it will take over the Eastern Cape and that "the blue wave will hit the province next year" are quite acceptable, as that is the norm during elections when that blue wave criss-crosses the northern areas in attempts to lure voters to vote for the DA. What is totally unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest terms is the misuse of Jesus' name or any religious belief, which can only be seen as desecrating that which others deem holy.

Politics and political competition has its own playing field, and any form of religion should be free from ridicule and mockery as displayed by the DA in its latest efforts to lure voters to vote for it.

It makes no political sense as the DA needs votes to assume power in the Eastern Cape. Most of the mainstream religious folk in our country are either Christian or Muslim and to use Jesus' name in vain, as the DA is doing, is tantamount to a criminal offence.

A strong and firm call should be made for an unconditional public apology to all religious and faith groups by the DA and its entire leadership for this statement.