Renaldo Gouws_Facebook
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has disassociated itself from the video making the rounds on social media of former Nelson Mandela Bay ward councilor and member of Parliament Renaldo Gouws.
The video, which was filmed in 2009 showing Gouws allegedly making racially charged comments, resurfaced last week after members of the 7th administration were sworn in last Friday.
DA spokesperson Dominique Jeftha said on Tuesday Gouws took the video down from social media a decade ago and apologised for its content in 2013.
"The DA believes that Gouws is indeed remorseful for his outburst over a decade ago," Jeftha added.
After the video's resurfacing, upset X users started a petition, now reportedly with 20 000 signatures, calling for Gouws to be removed as a Member of Parliament.
Remove Mr Renaldo Gouws from parliament. He has no place in a government that seeks national unity. Sign the Petition! https://t.co/JFjRIzMUvA via @ChangeorgSA
— Annika Langa (@AnnikalangaY) June 17, 2024
He took to X on Monday to reject any claims of racism or being racist, saying that he had taken responsibility for the actions of his younger and immature self.
Gouws said he made the video when former President Jacob Zuma and then Youth Leader and now Commander in Chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema were singing songs about killing people based on their race.
According to Change.org, the petition was started by Kimberly Jones in a quest to enable successful governance in a diverse democratic society, as she believes that it is essential that all members of Parliament adhere to principles of respect, understanding, and equality.
See the petition here: South African Parliament to Reconsider Mr Renaldo Gouws due to Racist Remarks
Meanwhile the Economic Freedom Fighters said in a statement they will be filing a complaint with the Speaker of Parliament to look into the ethical conduct of Gouws.
"By extension, a more noble call is for the removal of the ANC from political power, because it is the ANC that gives these racists a veil of legitimacy," the statement reads.
A snippet of a video that I posted 16 years ago (back in 2009) when I was young and still a student has been recycled and posted on social media over the last few days.
— Ngamla Gouws ???????? (@RenaldoGouws) June 17, 2024
I addressed this snippet in 2016 and again in 2020 when approached by the media when it was posted on social…
