Name-calling is as dangerous as it is insulting and idiotic

Our legislators should consider tightening laws dealing with defamation and hate speech. We must find ways to punish those who shout "witch" and call others "spies" and "enemy agents" whenever they cannot get their way.

A case in point is that involving the factional political gymnastics of our deputy defence minister, Kebby Maphatsoe.

Public outrage or a demand for an apology is not enough to silence these individuals.

In some communities, especially in Limpopo, the elderly are called witches and sometimes end up being lynched by hotheads. Parents are uprooted from their homes after someone shoutsthe word "witch".

When individuals find it easy to call their enemies - real or imagined - names and escape punishment, we are likely to have these problems for many years to come.

Maphatsoe's labelling of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela as a "CIA agent" highlights the need to tighten our laws.

It should not be easy for one person to call another person a "witch" or an "agent" without the law coming hard on them.

We cannot be driven back to the dark days by those whose only relevance to the South African project is factionalism. We cannot forget how many of our people lost their lives after being accused of being agents or witches.

The past is painful for many families.

Many of us still have vivid memories of how Maki Skosana of Duduza on the East Rand was "necklaced" by an unruly mob after she was accused of being a police informer. With no evidence, she died a horrific, fiery death.

We should also not forget that Steve Biko was a victim of name-calling.

He, too, was labelled an agent working for Americans by his enemies. Some of those who spread these lies now sit comfortably next to President Jacob Zuma.

For us to move forward, our laws should come down hard on them.

We must speak out against those who throw mud at others when they lose a debate.

Let's rid ourselves of this disease before it spreads.