A social media post from a well known East London businessman has gone viral after Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi expressed her shock at it's "blatant racism".
Russel Kruger, who is a part-shareholder of one of the Mugg and Bean franchises in East London, shared a post on his social media with a picture of a child whose face was painted black under the heading "Using my kids to apply for business grants hope we come right".
When taken to task, Kruger explained that his child had played with his phone and apologised profusely.
He said the post was not intended to be racist and offered his humble apology.
Miss Universe, who hails from Tsolo in the Eastern Cape asked Mugg and Bean on Twitter to deal with the situation.
Mugg and Bean soon responded, also expressing their shock at the actions of Mr Kruger and said the necessary steps would be taken to deal with the situation.
Twitter users have linked Kruger to several other businesses in the Buffalo City Metro who took to Facebook to distance themselves from Kruger.
The Group Marketing & Communications Department REBOSIS Property Fund who acts on behalf of Hemingway’s Mall also strongly condemned the post being shared on social media.
A spokesperson for REBOSIS Putco Mafani says the Management of Hemingway's Mugg and Bean are in no way involved with the social media post of Mr Kruger as his involvement is with another franchise in East London.
Mafani says they believe in upholding fundamental human rights and the offensive racism story is inconsistent with their company philosophy and diversity of our country.
The EFF in Buffalo City confirmed via a statement that they had laid charges against Kruger at the Fleet Street police station on Friday.
The Human Rights Commission of South Africa has also been asked to investigate the incident.
Kruger has since deleted all his social media accounts.
