Mbeki under fire for criticising Indians

DURBAN, NOV. 30. The South African President, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, has come under attack for describing the Indian community in Durban as ``apathetic'' and ``supporters of former oppressors''.

One of South Africa's respected political activists of Indian origin, Ms. Fatima Meer, has expressed disappointment at the statements. While addressing opinion makers last weekend, Mr. Mbeki said although Indians participated in the struggle against apartheid they had now withdrawn into isolation, which implied they had become ``racists''.

He made the comments in reaction to media reports that Indians were disillusioned with the performance of the ANC and this could affect their voting patterns during the local Government elections on December 5.

Ms. Meer, a lifelong member of the ANC, said the President was wrong in his perceptions. ``The Indian community is only reacting to the ANC's failure,'' she said.

- PTI

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Section  : International
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