Mthethwa: Rugby players refusing to take knee won’t face sanctions
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa says he is opposed to the sanctioning of eight rugby players who refused to take a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Eight South African rugby players, including Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, failed to take a knee in solidarity with the on-pitch protests ahead of a game in England, sparking a heated debate between opponents and supporters of the movement.
Mthethwa has spoken out on a number of occasions, expressing his concern about the lack of solidarity displayed by the players.
On Wednesday, Mthethwa again told Members of Parliament of his disappointment but said he respected the freedom of choice.
“I’m not able to speak for the (SA) Rugby Union and have no plans to sanction players for failing to kneel at the match in question. I would be failing in my duty if I was not interested in why South African players at the match chose different ways to express solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement,” said Mthethwa.
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Mthethwa said the actions of the 8 players don’t warrant sanctions from the department or the South African Rugby Union (Saru).
“These are matters of conscience and choice. Sanctioning such would be superficial for it would be dealing with a behaviour without fundamental change of an attitude.
“It is up to Saru to deal with such acts if they have such rules. I would not support such a move since solidarity or pledging solidarity or support with a particular cause as it is a voluntary act,” he added.