Nkosinjani Speelman has been suspended as the mayor and a member of the ANC after he racially classified coloured people in Bronville on Monday while addressing SANDF members. The provincial spokesperson of the party, Thabo Meeko, in the latest statement released on Wednesday, says the party officials met and considered the issue about Speelman's unfortunate racist and regrettable remarks. 

In the first statement released this afternoon, Meeko said the party was distancing itself from the reckless and embarrassing remarks. Meeko further says the mayor in question violated the provision of the ANC Constitution which prohibits and classifies as misconduct all forms of racist utterances.  

"These utterances are uncalled for from an ANC leader and a deployee of the ANC. It does not represent the views of the ANC regarding the standing of coloured people in the country.

"The ANC is an organisation guided by principles of unity, non-racialism, non-sexism and democracy," he adds. 

He further adds that these are basic principles which must be upheld by all members of the ANC. 

"In light of the seriousness of the utterances of Cde Nkosinjani Speelman, the officials have decided to temporarily suspend Speelman as both member of the ANC and public representative," Meeko says. 

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 the political party Cope, Dennis Bloem, told OFM News that the mayor is irresponsible and not fit to occupy the mayoral office following such comments. He indicated that he will approach the Garsfontein Police Station in Pretoria to open a case of crimen injuria. 

Bloem added 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 among residents in the area.

OFM News