The ANC in the Free State (FS) has suspended the mayor of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality Nkosinjani Speelman for derogatory and racist remarks he allegedly made against coloured people.
Speelman is alleged to have referred to coloured community members of Bronville in Welkom as “boesmans” who should be subjected to “skop and donner.”
He is said to have made the racist remarks while welcoming members of South African National Defence Force arriving in Welkom to help authorities enforce the regulations around the lockdown.
ANC FS provincial secretary Paseka Nompondo said the utterances by Speelman are uncalled for from an ANC leader and does not represent the views of the ANC regarding the standing of coloured people in the country.
“We have learned that Cde Speelman has referred to coloured community members of Bronville in Welkom as “boesmans” who should be subjected to skop and donner,” Nompondo said.
“In light of the seriousness of the utterances of Cde Nkosinjani Speelman, the officials have decided to temporarily suspend Cde Nkosinjani Speelman as both member of the ANC and public representative in line with rule 25.60.”
The Human Rights Commission is also looking into the matter after receiving complaints from the community.
