ANC hurls homophobic insults and threatens violence against DA councillors

31 March 2023

The DA in eThekwini walked out of a council meeting on March 30, 2023, in response to the ANC's repeated racist and homophobic insults, as well as threats of violence towards its councillors.

Despite the country's difficulties of violence, bigotry, and intolerance toward the LGBTQIA+ community, Speaker of Council Thabani Nyawose enabled his ANC colleagues to hurl racist insults and abuse.

Nyawose allowed disrespectful comments and homophobic insults addressed towards LGBTQIA+ caucus members. All of this occurred in front of the city's first citizen, Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, who remained silent while his fellow ANC members shouted hatred. It is hardly a surprise that there are little to no interventions when people are brutally murdered, such as the late queer musician Lindokuhle Cele, who was murdered in 2020.

The ANC’s councillor Madlala attacked DA councillor Warren Burne, while councillor Billy was called names and a puppet of white people. He was also informed that if he did not keep an eye out, he would lose his life.

The ANC's conduct is reprehensible, filled with hatred, lacking in integrity, and justifies harsh measures.

The DA will be filing a formal complaint against the Speaker and ANC councillors following their racist and abusive commentary.

Issued by Mzamo Billy, DA eThekwini Deputy Caucus Leader, 31 March 2023