Mashaba slams ‘racist’ Cosatu, SACP

Remarks about city official ‘denigrating’

Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has accused Cosatu and SACP leaders of abetting racism.

This after Cosatu Gauteng chairman Amos Monyela allegedly labelled mayoral committee member for public safety Michael Sun a “fong kong” and “Mr Lee” who is knowledgeable in “karate”. These terms were allegedly used during the Cosatu national strike against corruption and state capture in Johannesburg this week.

Sun, who received a memorandum from Cosatu, is of Chinese descent.

“Throughout this belittling and racist tirade [SACP general secretary Blade] Nzimande stood quietly,” Mashaba wrote in an open letter yesterday.

He called on Cosatu to publicly condemn the racist comments and apologise to Sun.

“To belittle a senior city official is one thing, but to racially abuse a passionate and loyal South African on the basis of his looks and descendants’ origins is utterly shameful. As a black South African, and given our intimate understanding of racial abuse, I am ashamed that Michael was treated in this denigrating manner by my fellow people.

“Your words were an insult to every South African of Chinese descent.”

Cosatu Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile said Mashaba must come to them if he wants an apology. SACP national spokesman Alex Mashilo said: “Unlike premier David Makhura, who set time aside … to receive the memorandum and address the march, Mashaba chose a cowardly act of running away from the people. Yet he makes … allegations as if he was at the march.”