NATIONAL NEWS - The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists has found itself having to deal with a possible racism scandal after complaints against one of its senior members was laid at the SA Human Rights Commission.

The complainant, Thegendra Naidoo, was himself expelled from the guild in 2014 for saying on social media that he wanted to knock down motorcycle riders. His disciplinary hearing took less than two months.

He’s now alleging double standards after discovering posts by veteran motoring journalist Bernard Hellberg Snr – a contributor to Driven and SA Express Airways’ Indwe inflight magazine, which he claims are racist and offensive and far worse than anything he ever wrote.

He also alleges the guild attempted to cover up the case because Hellberg Snr’s son (and employer), Bernard Hellberg Jr, is the guild’s chairperson.

Naidoo told The Citizen he lodged a complaint with the guild after seeing Hellbergs’ posts late last year but claims he was ignored.

The Sunday Times then ran an article about the case this Sunday after the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) confirmed it was investigating the matter.

“In my case, the guild issued a public press release and distanced itself from my comment and reiterated its commitment to road safety. Their press release was shared on Twitter and Facebook on 17 February 2014,” Naidoo said, questioning why there appeared to be double standards.

Read more on the Caxton publication, The Citizen.