A South African lawmaker, Renaldo Gouws has been suspended by his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), after a series of old clips resurfaced online of him using violent racist language against black people.
In the video, Renaldo Gouws who was among those recently sworn in used a local slur usually aimed at Black Africans repeatedly along with the n-word, and called for black people to be killed.
He initially claimed one of the videos was doctored and denied its authenticity, but a statement from the DA on Thursday confirmed it was “genuine and not fake.”
The DA, now the country’s second-biggest party, has often been accused of racism by critics who insist the party only exists to protect the interests of the white-minority population. It has announced that Mr Gouws will face “disciplinary charges”.
Senior DA official, Helen Zille told local media: “Such language is unjustifiable and unacceptable. I don’t see how such offensive language can be justified.”
Earlier in the week, another old video emerged, in which Mr Gouws makes racially charged comments implying that white people were subject to reverse apartheid.
He said: “If Africa had to disappear off the face of the earth, no one would notice”.
More than 40,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the removal of the South African lawmaker from Parliament.
On Monday, after the first clip came out, the 41-year-old denied he was racist and apologised on X, admitting he had spoken in a “crass” and “hostile” way.
“I refute any claims of racism or being a racist. I can however see how my message was distorted in the way it was delivered by me and I take full responsibility for the actions of my younger and immature self,” he said.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said it would take legal action against Gouws “for the alleged racial utterances relating to online media posts”.
“Given Mr Gouw’s position as a Member of Parliament, his alleged actions carry even greater weight and responsibility.” The Commission said.
This episode will also only serve to arm those who have criticised the ANC for entering a deal with their erstwhile rivals
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) had taken a swipe at the coalition referring to it as a “marriage of convenience to consolidate the white monopoly power over the economy and the means of production in South Africa.”
Former President, Jacob Zuma also insisted there was no national unity government in South Africa and described the partnership as a “white-led unholy alliance between the DA and the ANC of Ramaphosa”.