The Citizen reports that Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba suspended an employee of the city for racism after he referred “in an insulting manner to a so-called ‘black mentality’”.
According to Mashaba, the city reacted to a video in which the official can be seen verbally abusing one of the city’s newly insourced security guards. The incident took place at the Eldorado Park swimming pool where the man allegedly expressed regret that school facilities in that township could be used by black children. Mashaba said he would advise security guards who allegedly endured the racist treatment to open a case of crimen injuria. “The city has worked hard to restore the dignity of our security guards through our insourcing efforts and they now enjoy decent wages and benefits. Such deplorable conduct is intolerable by all standards. There must be no place for racism, it must be condemned and addressed decisively. Racists must never feel that they can operate with impunity, or that their behaviour is acceptable in any circles,” Mashaba stated. He has asked the member of the mayoral committee for community development, Nonhlanhla Sifumba, to follow up on this disciplinary case.
- A short report in this regard by Daniel Friedman appeared on page 8 of The Citizen of 19 September 2018
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page