A woman has received backlash online after making a comment suggesting that the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, should be assassinated like Chris Hani, a late leader of the South African Communist Party.
Also read: UCT students lead South Africa’s research into green hydrogen
The comment was made in response to a news story about Mantashe snubbing a billion-dollar green hydrogen deal.
The woman, Nicole Barlow, later deleted the tweet and admitted that her comment was distasteful and wrong.
Many social media users are calling for action by the South African Human Rights Commission and the police, condemning Barlow’s statement as unacceptable.
Barlow acknowledged her hypocrisy in criticising EFF leader Julius Malema for inciting violence while engaging in similar behaviour herself. She attributed her lapse in judgement to her frustration with the corruption of the ANC and expressed regret for her comment.
Cape {town} Etc discount: Looking for things to do in the city at half the price? Let these great offers inspire you and fuel your imagination! Get them here.
‘I agree it is grossly hypocritical to criticise [EFF leader] Julius Malema for publicly inciting violence and promoting the killing of white farmers (Boers) only for me to turn around and do it as well.
One should never fall into the trap of engaging with one’s enemy through cheap point scoring and insults.
I have spent 20 years fighting the ANC and the devastating impact their corruption has had on our environment, and for a split second I allowed my jaded perspective of them to cloud my judgement, and that was wrong,’ she said.
This move by racists is so predictable … first the violence with intent to harm and when called out, the gear switch to the justification and feigned concern for black people.
Oh and now the tweet is deleted. ? pic.twitter.com/bOiq3B7YMw
— Bianca van Wyk (@BiancavanWyk16) June 25, 2023
I’m going to do a Jeremy Clarkson – mea culpa….
I agree that it’s grossly hypocritical to criticise Julius Malema for publicly inciting violence and promoting the killing of white farmers (Boers) only for me to turn around and do it as well.
One should never fall into the…
— Nicole Barlow (@Nicole_Barlow1) June 25, 2023
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under 100k. Find car listings here.
Also read:
City of Cape Town’s mandate to regulate outdoor advertising confirmed by ConCourt
Picture: Ziyaad Douglas / Gallo Images
Words: African Insider