MEC apologises for ‘racist, abusive’ remarks
Mazibuko referred to diversity course
Gauteng MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation Faith Mazibuko said she shouted at her senior managers because she was angry and felt betrayed by them. Mazibuko was speaking at the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) yesterday, where she was called to explain her remarks that were perceived racist and abusive. An audio recording of a meeting with her HOD, CFO and chief directors went viral on social media.
The commission has since recommended that Mazibuko attend a sensitivity and diversity programme and apologise to the nation for her remarks. Mazibuko said on the day of the incident, she received a report that her department might be underspending on compensation and roll out of infrastructure.
She said she was baffled when an explanation was made that they could not roll out five combi courts because a contract with the sports trust had ended.
“… because we had been reallocated money in the previous financial year of 2018/19 that we can roll out five other combi courts, it did not sound convincing to me. Out of frustration, I became angry… It was uncalled for for me to be angry. Of course, I may be loud when I speak and it may sound as if I am shouting at people.
“It might sound like I was bullying them but I was not bullying them .... nor was I threatening them,” she said. Mazibuko said it was not her intension to “segregate them, to ridicule them or victimise them in the manner that it came out”. She also denied that she wanted the facilities to be rolled out as an election campaign for the ANC. The commission’s deputy chairperson, Priscilla Jana, said they accepted Mazibuko’s apology.