Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) chief whip John Steenhuisen said on Wednesday that the incident wherein Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) Nazier Paulsen called DA member of parliament Yusuf Cassiem a “k****r” had been escalated.
“I raised this matter in this morning’s Whip’s Forum and was assured by the [African National Congress] Chief Whip, Jackson Mthembu, that he would personally take the matter up with the Speaker, Baleka Mbete,” said Steenhuisen.
During the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s budget vote on Tuesday, Paulsen and Cassiem exchanged words regarding the DA’s position on Palestine. It culminated in Paulsen calling Cassiem the k-word.
Soon after, the DA called for the EFF to suspend Paulsen and stated that Paulsen’s antics further illustrated the party’s divisive nature. They also promised to refer Paulsen to the South African Human Rights Commission for investigation.
“Paulsen’s despicable behaviour yesterday simply reaffirmed that the EFF remains a party that is determined to divide, and not unite South Africans,” said Steenhuisen.
“The DA will do whatever we can to ensure that South Africa is a nation united in our diversity as we believe that this is the kind of change that will move SA forward again.”
In an interview with community radio station Radio 786 on Wednesday, Paulsen and Cassiem provided their interpretation of events, which centred around the Palestinian issue.
Paulsen had accused the DA of siding with Israel and its occupation of Palestine. He also alleged that Zionists controlled and secured funding for the DA.
In his version of events, Paulsen said he used the k-word in its Arabic context, that of a “non-believer”.
According to Cassiem, the argument between him and the EFF MP involved Cassiem suggesting politicans refrain from using Islam for politicking.
He alleges that Paulsen responded with profanity, which included the race-based version of the k-word. Cassiem said this was particularly poignant considering all the racist incidents in the country.
Cassiem states he later invited Paulsen to join him to perform Salah, which Paulsen allegedly refused.
The DA MP went on to state that Shaitan (the devil) was present in Parliament and that prayer was needed for all MPs.
He also provided his personal position on Palestine, stating that it was first and foremost a religious issue. With this in mind, Cassiem said he could not participate in pro-Palestinian marches that involved men and women as the intermingling of sexes was haraam (prohibited by the Qur’ran).
African News Agency
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