Dagga activist lights up live on air
DAGGA activist Andre du Plessis, taking part in a live TV interview on the SABC News show, The Newsroom, at noon, was trending on social media yesterday after lighting up and smoking what is believed to have been dagga at the end of the interview.
Du Plessis, the head of the Cannabis Working Group, appeared to have been upset by the deputy chairman of the Central Drug Authority, David Bayever, after the show’s anchor asked both guests whether they thought South Africa lagged behind on the legalisation of dagga.
Bayever said the recent xenophobia issue the country faced was one of the reasons there had been a delay.
“Unfortunately, part of the delay in initiating might have been because of the xenophobia attacks, which is also part of what the Department of Social Development has to deal with,” said Bayever.
Du Plessis, who appeared upset, interrupted Bayever and said the authority was 11 years late in presenting its position on the issue.
“The CDA is 11 years late in presenting its position paper. Please don’t bring xenophobia into this as a form of excuse,” said Du Plessis.
Bayever said he would not argue and continued responding to the question. Looking angry, Du Plessis took out what is believed to have been a “joint” and lit up.
The interviewer asked Du Plessis if he had anything he wanted to say. He said nothing and got up from the chair.