Outcry as sport store removes Etzebeth poster
Totalsports has decided to remove its posters of Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth ahead of the Rugby World Cup final over the “media controversy” around him.
“The media controversy surrounding Etzebeth has been felt in our stores,” the company, part of The Foschini Group, said.
“As a brand, we don’t do controversies, we do sport – so we made the decision to remove his poster. Without taking sides or passing judgment, we wanted to make sure all our customers feel comfortable.”
The move has seemingly angered many customers, who said on social media they would no longer be supporting Totalsports, which has about 280 sports goods stores nationwide.
Many said they felt the group had chosen sides by removing the poster before the outcome of any investigation into Etzebeth.
Sandy Bernado commented on Facebook: “Lost my support. What about innocent till proven guilty (sic). The whole of SA stands by him, now I’m sure you lost thousands of customers..”
Johan van der Bergh said: “Which part of innocent until proven guilty do you not understand? Very disappointed that a business can decide who is guilty before any case is dealt with in court. I hope that enough people walk out the door so that you can feel it in your business results.”
On Twitter, @aaardvaaark82 said: “@TotalsportsSA, you have clearly forgotten what @Springboks and all the fans have done for your business. I remember shopping in your stores since childhood ... all good sentiments flushed away with a single tweet. Who runs your social media acc? The decision-maker should be fired.”
Another Facebook user, Jack Abrahams, said: “Totalsports you still have me as a customer. It’s not easy pleasing nor offending everyone in 2019. This too shall pass.”
Etzebeth has been accused of racially abusing a patron at a pub in Langebaan in August. Police are investigating a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, crimen injuria and the pointing of a firearm.
The South African Human Rights Commission is representing the so-called Langebaan Four in an Equality Court case against Etzebeth for alleged hate speech.
The four are looking for compensation of more than
R1 million.
Etzebeth has hit back by filing strongly worded court papers in the High Court in Johannesburg, saying the case is “unlawful”. – News24Wire