Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi has publicly called out a racist social media post made by an East London business owner.
Tunzi, who won the Miss South Africa crown on Women’s Day last year before making our country immensely proud when she became Miss Universe in November, responded to a screenshot of a post from East London businessman Russel Kruger.
Unacceptable racist social media behaviour exposed
Kruger’s post featured a picture of a child whose face was painted black and was captioned: “Using my kids to apply for business grants hope we come right.”
Tunzi was having none it and her condemnation of the post helped ensure that Kruger’s racism was exposed.
Miss Universe drew a response out of eatery chain Mugg & Bean, who confirmed that Kruger was a part-shareholder in one of their stores. The chain moved to assure South Africa as a whole that they believe Kruger’s behaviour was unacceptable and action will be taken against him.
Mugg & Bean issue statement apologising to South Africa
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| Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi Calls Out Businessman’s Racist Social Media Post |
The replies to the Mugg & Bean statement paint a picture of a nation frustrated by instances of blatant racism going unpunished.
According to an official statement, the Buffalo City division of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have laid criminal charges against Kruger.
Meanwhile, other businesses in the area, who have been linked to Kruger on social media, have sought to distance themselves from the businessman.
The Human Rights Commission of South Africa (HRCSA) have been asked to take up the case.
Kruger is believed to have deleted all his social media accounts after issuing an apology. He maintains that his post was not racist and also claimed his account was hacked.
According to an official statement, the Buffalo City division of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have laid criminal charges against Kruger.
Meanwhile, other businesses in the area, who have been linked to Kruger on social media, have sought to distance themselves from the businessman.
The Human Rights Commission of South Africa (HRCSA) have been asked to take up the case.
Kruger is believed to have deleted all his social media accounts after issuing an apology. He maintains that his post was not racist and also claimed his account was hacked.
The weak apology
In a post on his Facebook account which was captured by screenshot before Kruger’s social media accounts were shut down, the businessman said:“There was a picture posted on Facebook or Twitter of my child posted going viral and insinuating racist comments. I apologise for this profusely, there was no intent of any racism whatsoever the child was playing and this [is] not intended as any racist comment whatsoever. Kindly accept this humble apology.”
Kruger has referred all requests for comment made by the press to his lawyer, Shaun Mathie of Drake Flemmer & Orsmond Attorneys.
Mathie told News24: “[Our client] has indeed referred the matter to our firm, but unfortunately, we have no further comment at this stage.”
Source: www.thesouthafrican.com
