This follows Nkosinjani Speelman's alleged racist rant when referring to the coloured community of Bronville in Welkom while addressing members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on Monday. Meanwhile, Speelman has apologised for his remarks following fierce criticism and said he did not mean to offend and undermine Bronville residents.

Following an overwhelming outcry from the irate residents in the area, the national spokesperson for Cope, Dennis Bloem, says the mayor is irresponsible and not fit to occupy the mayoral office following such comments. He indicates that he will approach the Garsfontein Police Station in Pretoria to open a case of crimen injuria. 

Bloem adds that he will also approach the  South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to open a case against the mayor. He says Speelman has hurt a lot of people with his comments and must be removed - a call that seems to be popular amongst residents in the area. 

Meanwhile, apologising to residents, Speelman said:  "To the people of Matjhabeng and Bronville, I want to apologise for the statement I made yesterday, it was not you it was just [by mistake]/out of mistake". 

"So I want to apologise to people of Bronville, particularly the coloured people, but I want to put it very clear to whoever posted that video on the issue of skop en donner'," he adds. 

This is not the first time Speelman finds himself making headlines. In November 2018, OFM News reported that he was allegedly paying R70 000 of taxpayers' monies every month for a vehicle he was renting.

The report further indicated that this sum only included the car’s rental fee. The kilometres and petrol card bill are allegedly charged separately, which also ran into the regions of thousands.

OFM News