The chairperson of parliament’s portfolio committee on international affairs and cooperation, the ANC’s Supra Mahumapelo, has condemned the attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
This comes after Trump was shot in the right ear during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday in what appears to be a botched assassination attempt.
At least one person has died, and two others were injured during the shooting.
The alleged shooter, who fired multiple shots towards the stage where Trump was delivering a speech, was killed by US Secret Service personnel.
“The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, has condemned the attack on US presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday in the strongest terms.
Wishing Trump a speedy recovery
“The committee wishes former president Trump a speedy recovery.
“Mr Mahumapelo said the committee supports and reiterates what President Cyril Ramaphosa said: that ‘political violence is the antithesis of democracy’. The committee also denounces political violence and hopes that the citizens and leaders of America will reject violence and seek peaceful solutions to any problem,” said Mahumapelo in a statement on Monday.
“We want to remind everyone that the use of violence to instill intimidation and fear among people doesn’t work. It failed in South Africa when it was applied by the political right wing, who were driven by a hate for black people and a phobia for communism that killed Chris Hani. The people of South Africa overcame the Hani tragedy, and the American people shall certainly overcome threats of this nature,” said Mahumapelo.
Shooting could fuel uncertainty
Mahumapelo said Trump was shot during a campaign rally on Saturday after a “major security lapse, an attack that will likely reshape this year’s presidential race and fuel long-standing fears that the campaign could descend into political violence”.
Ramaphosa also denounced the alleged assassination attempt on former US President Trump.
“The attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump is a stark reminder of the dangers of political extremism and intolerance. Political violence is the antithesis of democracy. I wish former president Trump a speedy recovery.
“We unequivocally denounce this political violence and earnestly hope that the citizens and leaders of America will have the fortitude and sagacity to reject violence and seek peaceful solutions,” said Ramaphosa.
The US presidential election will take place on November 5. Trump will be contesting the election against incumbent President Joe Biden.
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