Renaldo Gouws, a South African lawmaker representing the Democratic Alliance (DA), has been suspended by his party following the emergence of old video clips where he used violent and racist language against black people.
The videos show Gouws using derogatory language directed at Black Africans, including the n-word, and advocating for violence against black individuals. Initially denying the authenticity of one of the videos, Gouws later admitted it was genuine after the DA confirmed its legitimacy.
The DA, which is now the country’s second-largest party, has faced accusations of racism in the past, with critics alleging it primarily serves the interests of the white minority. The party has announced that Gouws will face disciplinary action.
Helen Zille, a senior DA official, condemned Gouws’ language as unjustifiable and unacceptable, stating, “Such offensive language cannot be justified.”
Earlier in the week, another video surfaced where Gouws made racially charged comments suggesting that white people were being subjected to reverse apartheid. He also made a disparaging remark about the continent of Africa.
An online petition calling for Gouws’ removal from Parliament has garnered over 40,000 signatures.
Following the release of the first video clip, Gouws, 41, denied being racist and apologized for his comments, admitting they were delivered in a crass and hostile manner.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) announced it would take legal action against Gouws for his alleged racial remarks in online posts. The Commission emphasized the seriousness of his actions given his position as a Member of Parliament.
This incident has also provided ammunition to critics of the ANC, with Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), criticizing the ANC’s partnership with the DA as a “marriage of convenience to consolidate white monopoly power.”
Former President Jacob Zuma dismissed the coalition as a “white-led unholy alliance” between the DA and the ANC under Ramaphosa, insisting there was no national unity government in South Africa.
