Open letter to the ICC
Dear Sir/Madam
We’re young and we’re perplexed: Why the sudden decision for our government to resign from the International Criminal Court (ICC)? The fact that this decision was not via a parliament session shouts a message loud and clear. This weighty resolution was made by a few individuals in parliament. This leaves us open and vulnerable to oppression which is, of course, one of South Africa’s most successful trademarks.
We fear that we might also be subjected to the tyranny of murderers who annihilate thousands of innocent people and are never bought to book themselves. In our country’s past there was no ICC and so innocent fathers, mothers and children had no voice. Then they were powerless to resist, and now we too feel powerless and vulnerable.
We know that those who line their pockets with millions will squash and ‘terminate’ those speak out and tell the truth. Could it be that certain powerful individuals now fear the International Criminal Court (ICC) and increase expenditure on VIP protection to insulate themselves from any reprisals? Could it be that they know the time is ripe for the many skeletons to fall out the closet?
Our South African judicial system is indeed failing us. Powerful men hand out interdicts in an attempt to put others in the spotlight lest their monstrous deeds be disclosed. Imagine the comedy that a country’s public protector cannot release a report on our President’s corruption and dictatorial decisions. And the newly appointed Public Protector will now be a puppet.
Insecurity is now the norm. We are not safe. We are ‘the rape capital of the world’. (INTERPOL). Primary school children carry dangerous weapons. We fear for our lives.
The Rainbow Nation has died. Diversity is no longer celebrated – one corrupt identity is being forced on us. We have no freedom, we have no voice, we have no democracy – we are cut off from the global community.
It is dark and we will die, not with a whimper, but a bang. We are voiceless and helpless.
Can somebody out there hear us?
