Zille to lay charges against her attackers

City of Cape Town Mayor Helen Zille says she intends laying criminal charges against the individuals who attacked her at a meeting in Crossroads on the Cape Flats last week. Zille was addressing the media during Freedom Day celebrations in Mitchell’s Plain yesterday and said she would not allow South Africa’s hard won freedom to be besmirched by a few individuals who had little respect for other people’s rights. She suffered a blow to the head during the attack in Crossroads and had to be escorted out of the hall to safety. The attack has been condemned by government, but the Democratic Alliance says this is not enough and government should take legal steps against those responsible.

In other Freedom Day speeches countrywide politicians emphasised that service delivery was still lagging and had to be urgently addressed. President Thabo Mbeki also warned councillors and businessmen that fraud and theft would not be tolerated. Speaking in Kimberley, he said those found guilty of these crimes would face the full force of the law.