JOINT PRESS RELEASE: CIAG and RP Condemn Assassination Of Charlie Kirk
The Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) and the Referendum Party (RP) are shocked and horrified by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues in the United States and around the world.
Charlie Kirk was well known for his willingness to engage in debate with people from radically different political viewpoints - a principle that lies at the very heart of democratic societies. His assassination, carried out at one of these debates, is therefore not only a personal tragedy but also a direct attack on the principle of free speech itself.
Whether one agreed with his views or not, Kirk was an extraordinary individual who, at a young age, built a movement that reshaped American politics and inspired millions. Here in South Africa, we valued his tough stance against our government and his willingness to provide a platform for South Africans to share their story with the world. The CIAG has worked with organisations he founded, and we remain grateful for the assistance and solidarity they offered.
This assassination raises deep concerns not only about the state of free speech in America but also here at home in South Africa. The extreme rhetoric often directed against right-of-centre individuals in the United States is echoed here - whether in Julius Malema’s calls to “Kill the Boer” or in the frequent threats made against Cape Independence supporters. Freedom of speech - the right to debate, to disagree, and to express one’s views - is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy.
As Charlie Kirk himself warned, “when people stop talking, that’s when you get violence, that’s when civil war happens.” We echo his words and stress that this must be avoided at all costs.
DATE: 11 September 2025
