Afriforum back Khune
Afriforum defends Khune's display of Christianity, saying that his suspension goes against his constitutional rights to freedom of religion and association.
The Premier Soccer League suspension and fine dealt out to Itumeleng Khune, the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and captain, is an infringement on his constitutional rights, said Henk Marais, spokesperson for Afriforum Youth.
Marais said this particularly applied to his rights to freedom of religion and association.
Khune was suspended last month when, as captain of the Kaizer Chiefs team in a match with Orlando Pirates, he came on the field wearing a vest with the words ‘God is great’ on it.
“Afriforum Youth demands that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) apologise and set the suspension aside. To suspend a person just because he lives out his religious beliefs goes against the grain of his human rights and is a clear oppression of Christianity by the PSL,” Marais said.
According to the youth organisation, it is common practice throughout South Africa that numerous, well-known sport icons pay homage to Christ for their accomplishments and never yet has any sport council taken action on the grounds of a player’s religious convictions.
“We demand an apology from the PSL and that they withdraw their charges against him. By the same token, we also encourage this national soccer captain to live out his Christian passion,” Marais said.
