Khumalo knew racist Facebook rage ‘would land him in hot water’

SUSPENDED Gauteng Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation employee Velaphi Khumalo was aware that his racist post on Facebook would land him in hot water.

This is according to the department’s spokesman Nomazwe Ntlokwana, who confirmed that every employee was required to sign a clause indi- cating they understood the department’s guidelines on social media.

She said when Khumalo, who worked as a sports promotions officer, joined the department last year he signed the policy. “We have an intranet where we place the policies of the department. So at any given point staff members can go and look at them,” Ntlokwana said.

Yesterday the department announced it had suspended Khumalo with immediate effect and would follow due processes in finalising the matter. His suspension comes after he wrote on Facebook earlier this week that white people in South Africa deserved to be hacked and killed like Jews.

His post received widespread condemnation alongside the posts and tweets by real estate agent Penny Sparrow, economist Chris Hart, Justin van Vuuren, radio presenter Gareth Cliff and journalist Carien du Plessis.

Social media law expert Emma Sadleir weighed in on the events of the week, saying the common law is that if you bring your employer into disrepute you could be fired. She said social media policies for companies are crucial.

“Look at Jawitz, for instance. Their reputation was damaged by a for mer employee. People don’t appreciate what it means to tweet or post something, what it means for their careers or the legal consequences of it.”

Sadleir said when one places something online, one loses context, tone and control.

“When you put something on the internet you lose control. You lose it to a permanent international platform because it can never be taken back,” she said. – Noni Mokati