Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Sex and politics South African style

The South African province of KwaZulu-Natal has thrown its hat into the scandal ring with the resignation of the Arts and Culture minister. It’s a full blown sex scandal, no less, involving you actual sexual intercourse.
Appropriately for a n Arts minister, Narend Singh was featured, on a DVD, in compromising positions with a ‘married’ Durban socialite. It showed Singh and Rosanne Narandas in a lengthy sex session at Durban's Elangeni Hotel.
Narandas apparently fondled Singh, kissed him and repeatedly rubbed her pelvis against him before they had intercourse.
It appeared Narandas was conscious of the cameras, first preening herself and later turning towards Singh so his face was captured.

Singh said he was not prepared to "sacrifice the pride and dignity of my family at the altar of blackmail and political backstabbing".
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said he respected and accepted Singh's resignation from his post in the legislature. "Minister Narend Singh's decision to stand down from public life is a typical example of his selflessness and dedication to his country and party."

Political Motives?
Okay, for a sex scandal it probably has some good juicy elements, but even in South Africa it is not a hanging offence to ‘have a bit on the side’. So what is the real angle here?
Reports say the DVD was pushed through residents' personal post boxes, handed out at some taxi ranks and even exchanged among pupils at some high schools.
Narandas denied she had a spy camera in her handbag, telling the Sunday Times newspaper she was being framed.
The Durban boutique owner is furious at suggestions that she is behind the controversial recording. "I come from a very prominent South Coast family, why would I want to distribute this, knowing full well it would cause hurt and embarrassment to my family.
"I received the package in early December and handed it to Mr Singh's department because it had political motives behind it."

Singh had also been put into a tight spot in view of the comments made by Narandas to newspaper, an advisor said; "Until she spoke, he had denied this matter and said his face had been placed on somebody else's body."
A police spokesperson Bala Naidoo said: "We know who made this video and we are in the process of obtaining statements from several witnesses."
Singh received the DVD in early December accompanied by serious threats that unless he withdrew from politics by December 9, the relevant footage would be distributed to the public and the media.
Singh "cannot hide behind the notion that this is a private matter, its affects the public, affects the voter, and is of public interest", says Naeem Jinnah, from the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI).

I will be following the story with interest. With respect Jinnah’s assertion of ‘public interest’ is bullshit. The political knives are out in South Africa and sex, as ever, is a handy political weapon.
Sources are various. The story can be tracked on Google News.

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