A South African lawmaker has been suspended by his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), after a series of old clips of him spewing violent racist language against black people resurfaced online.
Renaldo Gouws initially suggested that one of the videos was doctored and denied it, but a statement released by the prosecution on Thursday said it was “genuine and not false”.
In the video, Gouws, who was sworn into parliament last week, repeatedly uses a local insult normally reserved for black Africans, along with the n-word, and calls for the death of black people.
This could hardly have come at a worse time for President Cyril Ramaphosa, as he debates a new coalition government with the DA.
After being sworn in for a second full term as president on Wednesday, he now has to agree on the distribution of ministerial posts between his own African National Congress (ANC) and the DA, along with three smaller parties.
The ANC failed to win a majority in last month’s elections for the first time since the end of the racist apartheid system in 1994.
The center-right DA, the country’s second-largest party, has faced accusations of racism from critics who say the party wants to protect the interests of its white minority population – an accusation it denies.
The prosecutor said Gouws will face “disciplinary charges”.
Earlier this week, another old music video resurfaced, in which Gouws makes racist comments.
In the video, he implied that white people were subject to the reversal of apartheid.
He said: “If Africa had to disappear from the face of the earth, no one would [expletive] to perceive”.
More than 40,000 people signed an online petition calling for his removal from office.
On Monday, after the release of the first clip, the 41-year-old man stated he was not racist and apologized on X, saying he had spoken in a “rude” and “hostile” way.
“I refute any allegations of racism or being racist. However, I can see how my message was distorted in the way it was conveyed by me and I take full responsibility for the actions of my younger, more immature self,” he said.
DA leader John Steenhuisen has previously defended Gouws, but it is unclear whether he has seen the latest video in which Gouws calls for black people to be killed.
A senior DA official and former party leader, Helen Zille, on Wednesday told local media: “Such language is unjustifiable and unacceptable. I do not see how such offensive language can be justified.”
Gouws is a former councilor for Nelson Mandela Bay ward two and a popular figure on social media, known for stirring up controversy.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said it would take legal action against Mr Gouws “for alleged racial statements relating to posts in online media outlets”.
In a statement shared on X, the SAHRC concluded that the suspended deputy’s comments “constitute hate speech and/or harassment”.
“Given Mr. Gouw’s position as a member of Parliament, his alleged actions carry even greater weight and responsibility.”
The coalition between long-time rivals the ANC and the DA, officially called the Government of National Unity, has been heavily criticized by some since it was announced last week.
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who formed the party after leaving the ANC in 2013, criticized the deal.
“We do not agree with this marriage of convenience, to consolidate white monopoly power over the economy and the means of production in South Africa.”
Former president Jacob Zuma and founder of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), which came third in the recent elections, shared the same sentiments.
He said there was no government of national unity in South Africa and described the partnership as an “unholy white-led alliance between the DA and Ramaphosa’s ANC”.
South Africa’s business community has welcomed the coalition government, hoping it will provide economic stability.
In his inauguration speechPresident Ramaphosa has promised to deliver economic growth, create jobs and reduce inequality in the country.
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