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Zille not above citizens

Kgalema Motlanthe, the ANC secretary-general is quoted as saying: "Although the law had to take its course, the status of Helen Zille's, office should be considered and she should be treated with respect and dignity".

Kgalema Motlanthe, the ANC secretary-general is quoted as saying: "Although the law had to take its course, the status of Helen Zille's, office should be considered and she should be treated with respect and dignity".

This came after the Cape Town mayor was arrested for trespassing on property belonging to alleged drug dealers. I have no doubt that Zille will do anything to get in the spotlight, but we cannot deny the scourge of drugs in the Western Cape, especially in Mitchell's Plein.

Something needs to be done. Locals have exposed the alleged drug lords, only to see them released, not charged or investigated. Police should actively seek solutions while they still have the community's support.

Having said that, politicians should not be treated any differently from citizens. If Zille broke the law, she must face the music. To elevate politicians is unfair and goes against everything we fought for.

Obviously, if Zille feels that she observed the rules and conditions of the march, she can sue the police for wrongful arrest.

She was not the only one arrested yet very little was said about the others. Instead of highlighting the problem, Zille has made people forget why the march took place. Lest we all forget, people are dying because of drugs. Police and the community must do more to fight this scourge. Forget about Zille's bruised ego. She will live. But if we lose focus on the problem, more children and young adults will be lost.

As for Motlanthe, I find it odd that the ANC feels some South Africans should be handled with kid gloves.

Sabelo Ndabazandile,

Johannesburg

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