NATIONAL NEWS - This week, an Oudtshoorn Municipal Official under the Facebook name ‘Vuyisa Bhefile Ka Hlazo’ put out a racist comment, directly inciting violence towards South Africans.

Mr Hlazo is a member of the ANC and a former ANC PEC Member.

"Under no circumstances will we tolerate hate speech, particularly from council officials, towards any citizen of our country,"said DA Regional Chairperson East Region - Jaco Londt.

Mr Hlazo stated the following on Facebook:

‘You know I can’t wait for the day the majority of this country would say “we have tolerated enough your white shit racist tendencies this is our country and I pray my Ancestors must let me leave to experience that day” I will with no mercy cut their tongue out with a machete and I will enjoy to hear them begging for forgiveness and watch them cross the boarders with their belongings. We have tolerated enough and I really dream about the coming of such a day and hour my ancestors will spare me to see such a day.’ [sic]

Not only does such hate speech promote violence, it is a direct violation of our Constitution and can not be tolerated in a free and democratic South Africa.

As an official of the Oudtshoorn Municipality, Mr Hlazo should act responsibly and practice caution with his various communication platforms, which include social media.

Whilst the Oudtshoorn Municipality is investigating this matter, I will write to the South African Human Rights Commission to report Mr Hlazo on his racial and hateful slurs.

Mr Hlazo’s behaviour is untenable and his ignorance should be strongly objected to.

His words are an indication of the ANC’s lack of respect for our Constitution and the safety of members of our society.

The DA holds the Constitution in the highest regard and takes the human rights of every South African seriously.