By Phenyo Selinda
EFF on the DA’s Back
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have strongly condemned Renaldo Gouws, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Democratic Alliance (DA), for his alleged “racist and homophobic” remarks in old videos. The EFF has called his comments a microcosm of a broader systemic issue within the party and has demanded his immediate removal from Parliament. This news follows social media outrage and a large-scale online petition calling for Gouws’s dismissal.
EFF’s Unyielding Stance
EFF National Spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys did not mince words in her statement. “It is a well-known fact that Gouws has built his reputation over the past few years on stoking racial hatred towards Africans and for championing fake news around the so-called farm murders,” she said. According to Mathys, Gouws has a history of making derogatory remarks about HIV-positive individuals, the LGBTQI community, and initiatives like affirmative action and black economic empowerment.
Mathys added, “In more recent postings and comments, Gouws has waged a vicious attack against Mama Joy, a well-known sports supporter, even calling her a prostitute. He has been a vociferous advocate of right-wing politics in the country, equating attempts to redress colonial and apartheid legacy to reverse racism, projecting whites as victims of a so-called backlash by a black government.”
DA’s Internal Response
The DA has opted for an internal review of the matter. According to DA spokesperson Solly Malatsi, the party is treating the situation seriously but has chosen to address it within its organisational frameworks. Gouws himself has shown remorse and issued an apology, stating that the controversial videos were recorded when he was “young and still a student.”
“A snippet of a video that I posted 16 years ago (back in 2009) has been recycled and posted on social media over the last few days. I addressed this snippet in 2016 and again in 2020 when approached by the media. I apologise unreservedly,” Gouws posted on X.
Public Sentiment and Online Petition
The controversy has not stayed confined to political circles. An online petition spearheaded by Kimberly Jones calls for Gouws’s removal from Parliament and has rapidly gained traction. The petition amassed almost 40,000 signatures within 24 hours, compelling Parliament to take notice even though they officially stated they were not aware of the petition.
“We implore the Parliament of South Africa to reconsider the membership of Mr Renaldo Gouws and set a strong precedent against racism. Let’s press for a Parliament that is truly representative of our democratic values and aspirations,” reads part of the petition.
Broader Implications
This incident has opened a Pandora’s Box, with the EFF criticizing not just Gouws but the entire DA for what they describe as a “racist sanctuary.” Mathys laid the blame not only on the DA but also the ANC-led government under Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing them of enabling racist individuals.
“Racists like Gouws have found a political sanctuary in the DA. In the DA, they see themselves and their views finding expression at the highest level of leadership and policy-making. This is the reason it is easy for Gouws to make offensive comments about African people,” Mathys said.
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