South Africa – The Democratic Alliance (DA), a coalition partner in the Government of National Unity, has reportedly suspended its Member of Parliament, Renaldo Gouws, over a series of videos, including one containing racist and hate speech towards black people. In the video, Gouws uses derogatory racial slurs and calls for violence against black people.
Although this suspension comes in response to significant public pressure, many citizens, observers, and analysts have criticised the DA for defending Gouws and showing reluctance to address racism directly.
Dr. Saths Cooper, President of the Pan African Psychology Union, stated that it was disturbing to see DA representatives, including their leadership, defending Gouws when the videos surfaced online. He added that if the situation were reversed and a person of colour made similar statements, the DA would likely respond differently.
Moreover, the DA representatives’ failure to explicitly call Gouws’ remarks racist, instead attempting to redefine his comments, has also drawn significant criticism and distrust.
“He’s racist. He does not need to remain in our political landscape and certainly not in the government of national unity … To say he was a student is rubbish because he was already well into his twenties when the video was made.”
“He’s made other horrific videos. Surely their checks should’ve brought this out and stated it was fake and it must be AI-generated [speaks volumes] … He’s a blatant example of the worst white racism that we thought we got rid of 30 years ago”
SMread| IRSA Hosts Exclusive Screening of “If I Must Die, Let It Bring Hope” to Support Gaza Relief Efforts
Further Action Taken Against Gouws by the SAHRC
In light of this incident, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has initiated proceedings against Renaldo Gouws at the Equality Court in Gqeberha.
According to the SAHRC statement, explicit content from Gouws’ YouTube channel, initially posted in March 2010 and later archived, has resurfaced, revealing behaviour ” incompatible with the principles of dignity and equality enshrined in South African law.”
Therefore, the commission was prompted to act after concerned citizens tagged it on social media, urging intervention.
Upon reviewing the content, the SAHRC determined that Gouws’s statements allegedly constitute “hate speech and/or harassment” under sections 10 and 11 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000 (PEPUDA or Equality Act).
“Given Mr Gouw’s 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.”
