DA response on candidate Da Rocha

I have noted news reports concerning threatening and derogatory comments made about Metro Police officials on his Facebook page in 2009 by a DA candidate in Johannesburg (see report).

I wish to be very clear: the comments are utterly unacceptable to the Democratic Alliance. The DA is implacably opposed both to discrimination against gay South Africans and threats of violence directed at law enforcement officials or anyone else.

Having said that, the following needs to be taken into account. First, Mr Da Rocha has made an unreserved and rather abject apology for his outburst. Second, the comments were posted on his Facebook page around two years ago, before he was associated with the DA.

Consequently, I will ask the Gauteng provincial leader to provide Mr Da Rocha with a mentor who will be tasked with further educating him about the DA's principles and policies and guiding him in his work should he be elected a DA councillor on Wednesday.

If Mr Da Rocha ever makes similarly unacceptable remarks as a DA public representative, he will be charged with bringing the name and reputation of the party into disrepute and his membership terminated.

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, DA Federal Chairperson, May 13 2011

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