BLF leader under fire for racist comments
Political parties are heaping pressure on the leader of the Black First Land First movement to retract and apologise for threatening remarks made against white South Africans.
Andile Mngxitama is seen in video footage, circulating on social media, saying that for every black person killed by the taxi industry, the BLF will kill five white people.
The controversial statements, reportedly made at a rally in Potchefstroom this weekend caused an uproar online.
Mngxitama Tweeted later explaining he was speaking about self defence and that his comments were aimed at South African billionaire, Johann Rupert's remarks that he has his own army in the taxi industry.
Let's repeat. If you Kill black people. Will kill you too!!!. Tell Johann Rupert.
— andile (@Mngxitama) December 9, 2018
Only a fool will not know that the reference to the taxi industry is a threat of killing. Johann Rupert must know we wont allow it anymore. No black on black violence allowed. You touch us we go for you...
— andile (@Mngxitama) December 9, 2018
Political party, COPE says it will be laying charges of hate speech against the BLF.
Meanwhile, Solidarity's Francois Redelinghuys says they will submit a letter to the IEC about the group's plans to contest next year's elections.
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'We believe that a political party leader who makes pronouncements like that, who actually incites violence to his supporters, should not have power nor should he be represented in Parliament," Redelinghuys said.
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