Disgraced Democratic Alliance MP Renaldo Gouws might be jailed as the South African Human Rights Commission drags him to court over his racist remarks.
The Racist Remarks By The DA MP
Renalso never imagined that his life would crash down just after his swearing-in as a Member of Parliament on 14 June. As he revelled in the spotlight, his old videos emerged and haunted him.
In 2009, he released a now-deleted video on his YouTube channel, making charged comments against the ANC government, sparking allegations of racism.
When the first video went viral, Gouws apologised, saying he was young and immature.
After explaining that he is not racist and boldly charging that those who make false accusations of racism should be punished, a second video leaked. In it, he was calling for the killing of black people. He used the N and the K words.
The DA Federal Executive was in a corner and decided to suspend Gouws earlier today, pending disciplinary charges.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: DA Suspends MP Renaldo Gouws As Second Racist Video Goes Viral
Human Rights Commission Takes Renaldo Gouws To Court
Barely hours after his suspension, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has taken Renaldo Gouws to the Equality Court.
The SAHRC will initiate proceedings at the equality court in Gqeberha against Gouws for the alleged racial remarks:
“In the video, Mr Gouws allegedly calls for the killing of black people using extremely offensive and derogatory language. This explicit content, initially published on his YouTube channel in March 2010, was archived despite being deleted and has resurfaced, revealing behaviour that is incompatible with the principles of dignity and equality enshrined in South African law.
“Following assessment of the content, the commission has concluded that utterances allegedly made by Mr Gouws constitute hate speech and/or harassment as contemplated in terms of sections 10 and 11 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. Given Gouws’ position as a member of parliament, his alleged actions carry even greater weight and responsibility, as he is expected to uphold and embody the principles enshrined in the constitution, including human dignity, equality and non-discrimination.”
