The AWB's secretary-general was escorted from the studio of
eNews programme Africa 360 after threatening his fellow
interviewee, political analyst Lebohang Pheko on Wednesday.
Andre Visagie, who was a guest on the prime-time news show
ripped off his microphone and threw it to the floor before storming
from the set.
He immediately returned and became embroiled in a verbal spat
with host Chris Maroleng, who came to Pheko's defence.
The argument stared when Pheko badgered Visagie about the abuse
of farm workers in South Africa, without giving him time to
respond.
Visagie, who earlier this week said the AWB would avenge its
leader Eugene Terre'Blanche's murder, a statement that was later
retracted, told Pheko not to interrupt him.
He then got up, ripped off his microphone and walked off.
When he returned and approached Pheko, pointing a finger at her,
Maroleng tried to step between them and push Visagie away.
"Don't you dare touch me in my studio," Maroleng said
repeatedly. "You'll be in trouble."
The AWB member replied: "I'll touch you in your studio."
Visagie was escorted from the set, but turned back again.
Pointing his finger at Pheko, he said: "I am not finished with
you."
Maroleng could be heard asking Visagie: "Mr Visagie, stop
threatening this woman now. Why are you threatening this woman? She
is just giving her opinion."
In a response, one viewer felt Pheko generalised the plight of
farm workers and provoked Visagie. Another sided with Pheko.
The new Social Movement Against Racist Tendencies (Smart),
founded by, among others, education department spokesman Panyaza
Lesufi, said it was not surprised by Visagie's behaviour.
"The latest outburst by the General Secretary of AWB confirms
our long held view that racists are handled with kids glove (sic)
in our country, just imagine if it was Julius Malema who behaved
like this," it said in a statement.
Smart said the media was "glorifying racists".
"Etv as been glorifying racists since the death of Eugene
Terre'Blanche and chickens have come home to roost."
Lesufi claimed Smart already had 5000 members, among them
"socialites, politicians, musicians, lawyers and professionals".
He said Smart was briefing its legal team to "urgently" lay
charges of intimidation against Visagie, as well as apply for an
urgent interdict to stop displays of the old South African flag at
Terre'Blanche's funeral in Ventersdorp on Friday.
Smart would officially be launched on 16 June, Lesufi said.