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Mandela takes stand to defend rugby investigation
March 19, 1998
Nelson Mandela
Web posted at: 11:10 a.m. EDT (1110 GMT)PRETORIA, South Africa (CNN) -- President Nelson Mandela on Thursday defended his decision to have a commission look into charges of racism and graft in the white-dominated rugby union, saying it was in the national interest to do so.
Mandela appeared in South Africa's high court, becoming the first president to testify while in office. Mandela said he disagreed with the judge's decision to bring him to the witness stand. His lawyers called it a "dangerous precedent."
Mandela said he had appointed 26 commissions since taking office and, "If each and every party involved in those commissions had asked me to testify, it would have completely undermined the function of government."
Rugby officials charge vendetta
The South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) wants the commission declared invalid because it says Mandela created it based on insufficient information. SARFU officials also charge there is a government vendetta against the sport, and challenge the government's right to interfere.
Supporters cheering Mandela On the stand, Mandela called rugby the national pastime and denied that SARFU is a private and autonomous body. He said rugby plays an important part in nation building. In 1995 the South African Springboks won the World Cup, and Mandela celebrated by putting on a Springbok jersey for the final match.
But rugby is a white-dominated sport, and has been accused of racism for not doing enough to nurture black players. Outside of court, Mandela reiterated his position.
"These are serious allegations which have been made. Allegations which, if they are not attended to, have already put rugby in an environment that is undesirable."
Mandela's supporters packed the courtroom and cheered when he appeared. The courthouse is across the street from the Palace of Justice, where Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1963 for treason against the white government.
Johannesburg Bureau Chief Mike Hanna and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Mandela vows to help poor blacks - February 6, 1998
- In S. Africa, 2 percent of population is behind bars - January 17, 1998
- Albright touts U.S. bond with South Africa - December 13, 1997
Related sites:
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- South African Rugby Football Union
- Nelson Mandela Biography
- Government of South Africa
- African National Congress
- Embassy of South Africa in Washington D.C.
- U.S. State Department - Bureau of African Affairs
- Main Street South Africa
- Mail & Guardian - South African newspaper
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