A crowdfunding platform that raised R48 475 in support of suspended DA MP Renaldo Gouws has been taken down.
On Wednesday, BackaBuddy CEO Patrick Schofield released a statement condemning the fundraising campaign, stating that the platform’s vetting process confirmed that the campaign ‘did not meet the conditions’ of its T&Cs and was thus removed.
Also read: DA suspends Renaldo Gouws after racist video surfaces
‘We wish to address inaccuracies in a recent article published by IOL concerning BackaBuddy’s involvement in a fundraising campaign initiated by Matthew Dickson. We reached out to IOL, and they have since corrected the article,’ he said.
‘The original article’s headline and content incorrectly suggested that we endorse the campaign for Renaldo Gouws.’
‘We would like to clarify that BackaBuddy does not endorse any campaigns; our platform serves solely as a neutral facilitator, operating strictly within our published terms and conditions.’
Important Update:
Clarifying Misconceptions in Recent @IOL Article on Renaldo Gouws Campaign pic.twitter.com/UhaPWSdRjw— BackaBuddy NPC (@backabuddy) June 26, 2024
Gouws came under fire after a video he posted in 2009 resurfaced on social media. TimesLive reports that he made inflammatory remarks about ‘reverse apartheid’, in which he criticised then-president Jacob Zuma and ANC youth leader Julius Malema for singing songs about killing people based on their race.
In the video, the former Nelson Mandela Bay councillor can be heard saying: ‘Alright, so there’s a couple of things I want to say. Kill the f***ing ka***rs, kill all the f**king n*ggers’.
He was subsequently suspended from his duties as MP pending disciplinary charges.
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The fundraiser closed donations after it received R48 475 of its R100 000 goal. Schofield added that donors will be refunded.
Furthermore, users on social media have reportedly started to compare Gouws’ situation to that of the leader of Black First Land First (BLF), Andile Mngxitama.
Mngxitama also received backlash after an old video resurfaced, in which he can be seen chanting ‘For every one life taken, five white lives will be taken’ at a BLF event in Potchefstroom. He was sworn in as an MP for the MK Party on Tuesday.
However, a Change.org petition launched in support of him has garnered 8 929 signatures of its 10 000 goal as of Friday morning.
According to the petition, Mngxitama ‘is facing widespread persecution from racists for declaring that black people will no longer sit and watch while their populations get decimated through white racist brutality as was the case during apartheid.’
‘Racists including Elon Musk have joined the bandwagon of covertly encouraging attacks on the character of Honorable Mngxitama which has put his life in danger.’
‘This attack on Honorable Mngxitama is an example of how racists worldwide disregard black lives and undermine efforts of any persons who pursue redress.’
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Also read:
Rise Mzansi accuses DA leader of racism amid political tensions
Picture: Renaldo Gouws / Facebook
