Racist language leads to suspension of South African MP
Initially, Renaldo Gouws suggested one of the videos was altered and denied its authenticity. However, a DA statement on Thursday confirmed the video was "genuine and not a fake."
A South African lawmaker has been suspended by the Democratic Alliance (DA) after a series of old videos surfaced online showing him making violent racist remarks against black people.
Initially, Renaldo Gouws suggested one of the videos was altered and denied its authenticity. However, a DA statement on Thursday confirmed the video was "genuine and not a fake."
In the footage, Mr. Gouws, who was recently sworn into parliament, repeatedly uses a derogatory term for Black Africans and the n-word, and calls for violence against black people.
This incident has created a significant challenge for President Cyril Ramaphosa as he negotiates a new coalition government with the DA.
After being inaugurated for a second term as president on Wednesday, Ramaphosa has agreed on the distribution of ministerial positions between his African National Congress (ANC), the DA, and three smaller parties.
The ANC did not secure a majority in last month's election, marking the first time this has happened since the end of apartheid in 1994.
The DA, the country's second-largest party, has faced accusations of racism from critics who claim it aims to protect the white-minority population's interests—a claim the party denies.
The DA has announced that Mr. Gouws will face disciplinary action.
