ANC scoffs at Kohler Barnard ‘gimmick’

MP Dianne Kohler Barnard has publicly apologised for sharing a post that supported apartheid-era president PW Botha. File picture: Willem Law

MP Dianne Kohler Barnard has publicly apologised for sharing a post that supported apartheid-era president PW Botha. File picture: Willem Law

Published Oct 6, 2015

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 Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance’s response to Diane Kohler Barnard’s posting of a racist status on her Facebook page was evidence of the party upholding white supremacy, the African National Congress in the Western Cape (ANCWC) said on Tuesday.

“The racism we were confronted with a week ago was not just Diane Kohler Barnard’s,” said ANC provincial chairman Marius Fransman.

“It shows the depth of systemic racism in the DA.”

Barnard’s so-called demotion from her position as police “shadow minister” to “deputy shadow minister” of public works was announced on Saturday. This happened while the party prepared for its disciplinary hearing on the matter, which had been scheduled for Friday.

Fransman said the demotion was not enough.

“It is just a gimmick. She is still a member of Parliament,” said Fransman.

While denouncing the “soft-handed” response to Kohler Barnard, Fransman also welcomed three former members of the DA’s Durbanville ward who were seeking to join the ANCWC.

The three members were councillor Cyril Mack, his son Grant, and Danny Bolton, all residents of Atlantis.

The three officially left the DA and applied to join the ANC on Tuesday.

“We have - guided by our consciousness and moral compass, having done the utmost best to build a non-racial and inclusive DA - decided to leave the DA and join the party that really does embody non-racialism,” said Cyril Mack.

“We can no longer associate ourselves with the DA’s false values of freedom, fairness, and opportunity,” he said.

The three men said they had made the decision as alleged racism within the DA worsened ahead of the 2016 local government elections, adding that the Kohler Barnard debacle was a contributing factor.

“The response by the DA shows it rewards those who hold white supremacy in high regard,” said Cyril Mack.

Responding to the allegations by the three, the DA’s Western Cape deputy leader Bonginkosi Madikizela said Mack was “not doing very well” and had received a vote of no confidence from ward members.

However, Madikizela said since South Africa was a constitutional democracy, people were free to join whatever party they wished to.

He added that he would not deny racism existed within the DA but said the party constantly worked to tackle bigotry within its ranks.

However, Madikizela said he did feel sorry for Mack, his son, and Bolton.

“I wish them all the best,” he said.

“But it’s like changing your laptop for a typewriter.”

ANA

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