16/8/02 4:24 PM


Rugby thug Pieter van Zyl's attack on an Irish referee during a Tri-Nations
Cup match in Durban last weekend has been singled out by President Thabo
Mbeki as an example of how not to treat foreign visitors.

Writing in the African National Congress's online publication ANC Today,
Mbeki said the coming UN World Summit on Sustainable Development does "not
permit of careless remarks and actions that communicate negative messages
about our country and people".

"In this regard, all of us owe the Irish referee at the recent Springbok-
All Blacks match, Dave McHugh, our sincere apology for the impermissible
assault on him by one of us, Mr Pieter van Zyl.

"As South Africans, we respect and value our international visitors. We
also respect the rules that govern civilised conduct of individuals and
nations," he said.

McHugh was assaulted and had his shoulder dislocated by Van Zyl when the
burly fan, wearing a Springbok jersey, slipped past security personnel and
tackled the international referee.

Van Zyl was arrested and charged with assault with intent to do grievous
bodily harm.

He has appeared in court and been granted bail.

Mbeki, referring to the summit, set to get under way officially in
Johannesburg on August 26, on Friday said that extending a warm welcome to
foreign guests is of the greatest importance.

-- Sapa

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