DA Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille, in her latest desperate bid to remain relevant in South Africa’s political discourse, has once again thrown baseless and reckless allegations into the public domain—this time accusing South Africa of acting as a proxy for Iran.
Without a shred of concrete evidence, she implies that the ANC’s stance at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israeli genocide is somehow dictated by foreign interests. Her irresponsible remarks are not only inflammatory but are designed to mislead markets and fuel unnecessary international tensions between South Africa and the United States.
This is nothing but political cheap scoring, characteristic of someone who continues to peddle the supremacy of white conservatism under the guise of democracy.
Let me be clear: I write this in my personal capacity, but as a proud member of the African National Congress (ANC), I refuse to let Zille and her free-reign media allies continue their unchallenged smear campaigns against the country.
The former Western Cape premier can no longer be given a pass to recklessly defame the ANC, sabotage national stability, and undermine South Africa’s sovereignty. If she thinks she can throw stones while living in a glass house, she is gravely mistaken. Her political manoeuvres will now be challenged—both in public discourse and in the courts.
Zille’s track record of condescension and racist dog-whistling is well documented. This is the same woman who, in 2017, had the audacity to suggest that colonialism was not “only negative,” absurdly citing infrastructure and an independent judiciary as if these were gifts from oppressors rather than tools of subjugation.
When confronted, she feigned ignorance, as she always does when called out for her blatant racism. Again, in 2019, she sought to delegitimise the struggles of Black South Africans by questioning the term “white privilege,” showing, yet again, her absolute disregard for historical realities.
This is the crux of the issue: Zille represents an outdated, supremacist ideology that Black South Africans in general must actively challenge. Her baaskap mentality—that she and her ilk have the right to dictate, to misrepresent, and to condemn without consequence—must be exposed and confronted at every level.
Her comments on the ANC’s internal affairs are not just inappropriate; they are steeped in condescension and an inherent belief that only she and her party hold the answers to South Africa’s future. That, in itself, is an insult to the majority of this country.
Now, let’s talk legal accountability. South Africa has clear legislative frameworks governing the dissemination of false information, the incitement of tensions, and the protection of national security. If there is any legal basis to charge Zille for her reckless assertions—be it under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA), the Cybercrimes Act, or even existing defamation laws—then she must be held to account.
A thorough legal analysis will determine the appropriate charges, and I will personally ensure that legal channels are pursued if her conduct warrants it. She cannot continue to enjoy the privilege of making unsubstantiated, damaging statements with impunity.
Zille has exactly seven days to retract her statement and apologise to the people of South Africa for her reckless and treasonous allegations. Should she fail to do so, I will take the necessary steps to open a formal case against her. The days of unchecked white arrogance in South Africa’s political arena are over. Let her be warned: the era of unchallenged misinformation is no longer an option.
Stan Itshegetseng is a writer, athlete and current affairs commentator.
