EFF must suspend Paulsen immediately for racist rant

3 May 2016

Today, during the budget vote on the Department International Relations and Cooperation, EFF MP, Nazir Paulsen referred to DA MP, Yusuf Cassim as a “K****”. 

This disgusting racist behaviour has no place in our constitutional democracy or in our democratic parliament, and I therefore demand that EFF leader, Julius Malema, initiate disciplinary action and, pending the outcome, suspend Paulsen immediately.

As elected representatives in the people’s Parliament, we should be leading by example. It is quite frankly despicable that such an attack could take place within these chambers, when racism remains prevalent in communities across South Africa. 

Just today, the Mayor of the DA-run City of Cape Town, Patricia De Lille, referred, a similar racist rant to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The DA does not tolerate racism and will not stand by while those intent on dividing South Africa destroy the vision of Nelson Mandela.

I will, in line with our complete commitment to defeating racism, refer Mr Pauslen to the SAHRC and to Parliament’s Ethics Committee for investigation. 

This behaviour demonstrates yet again that the EFF remains a party that is determined to divide, and not unite South Africans. They are simply too radical and extreme to be trusted to govern.

The DA will do whatever we can to give life to Madiba’s vision of one nation, united in our diversity. Because we believe that this is the change that will move South Africa forward again. 

Issued by John Steenhuisen, Chief Whip of the DA, 3 May 2016