The Inkatha Freedom Party has condemned the treatment of athlete Caster Semenya, calling it "most humiliating" on Saturday.

"The IFP decries the most humiliating manner in which South African athlete Caster Semenya was treated by the world athletics body," said IFP women's affairs spokeswoman Connie Zikalala in a statement.

It said it supported Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation's complaint with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights over the gender test ordered on the country's middle-distance runner.

"The insensitive handling of Ms Semenya's gender test not only undermines the ASA but it also reflects badly on international relations.

"The IFP is not adverse to legal blood tests conducted on athletes, however this test involving Ms Semenya is a gross violation of her privacy and is highly suspect as it exposes feelings of jealousy and unfair discrimination. The world community should not allow itself to be dragged back into medieval practises where the mere looks of a human being could make him or her a social outcast," Zikalala said.

The IFP congratulated Semenya on winning the gold medal at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin and wished her well in her sporting career.

Join our Facebook fan page Follow us on Twitter

Sapa

RSS
Digg
de.li.cious
facebook
It's JZ, leave a message... Jacob Zuma "Hi, this is Zuma. You know what to do. No, no... not the machine gun. Leave a message..."
Finding love in Zululand Mnqobokazi Susan Pletts ventures into Zululand and discovers that SA's hidden treasures are its people.
Visit our politics page Jacob Zuma supporters Need the latest political news, features, interviews and profiles? Visit our dedicated page...