THE FUTURE of the DA’s public support could hinge on how it deals with two men accused of making racist public statements.
While party leader John Steenhuisen posted Facebook updates of his government trip to China, back home a storm brewed over the party’s lack of decisive action against suspended MP Renaldo Gouws, and Roman Cabanac’s appointment as Steenhuisen’s Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Agriculture.
Steenhuisen’s spokesperson said he was not taking calls from the media while overseas.
Both Gouws and Cabanac have been accused of publishing allegedly racist, homophobic and divisive social media posts and then attempting to delete them following a public outcry.
Helen Zille, the chairperson of the DA’s Federal Council, told the Sunday Tribune she had received a complaint about Gouws. “ … it was sent to the Federal Legal Commission (FLC) that is reaching the end of its investigation. When it does, the FLC report will be considered by the DA's Federal Executive.”
Although he was suspended from party activities, Gouws has apparently still reported for duty in Parliament in his capacity as a government employee.
A few days ago he posted a message on X saying that while he had much to say on the matter, his legal counsel had advised him not to comment.
“Since the 17th of June 2024, I have been silent on all social media platforms and have intentionally withheld any comments to journalists. This is not due to me not having anything to say, trust me, I have a lot to add to the conversation and will release an official press statement when the time is right.
“The reason I have remained silent is purely out of respect for two legal processes that have yet to unfold and run their course fairly and without detriment … ”
Those legal processes are the DA’s internal investigation and disciplinary process, while the other refers to the South African Human Right Commission (SAHRC) which took his matter to the Equality Court.
On its website the SAHRC referred to online posts which it said had allegedly come from Gouws.
“In the video, Mr Gouws allegedly calls for the killing of Black people using extremely offensive and derogatory language. This explicit content, initially published on his YouTube channel in March 2010, was archived despite being deleted and has resurfaced, revealing behaviour that is incompatible with the principles of dignity and equality enshrined in South African law.”
While the DA was dealing with the Gouws issue, it would not comment on Steenhuisen’s decision to appoint Cabanac.
Zille said: “The Roman Cabanac issue is different. He is neither a public representative, nor an employee of the DA. He therefore falls completely outside the DA's disciplinary processes.”
Cabanac has a YouTube channel called Morning Shot which he describes on his LinkedIn profile as “With a huge fan base of over 50 000 subscribers and 15 million views, on Youtube, I specialise in spicing up everyday tales, one short video at a time”.
While the Sunday Tribune was unable to reach Cabanac or the Agriculture Department for comment, he recently took to X to say: “The opportunity to work for the government was not in my future at all. When it was offered, I accepted without hesitation. South Africans need food, jobs and a growing economy. Our farmers need security, certainty and support.
“It is much easier to criticise but actions and work define results. I have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a positive difference to this country I love. I will work with anyone who shares these goals. Vitoria et certa.”
Veteran politician Kenneth Meshoe told this newspaper that he still believed the Government of National Unity (GNU) would be “dead” by Christmas.
The ACDP had opted not to be part of the GNU.
Meshoe said Steenhuisen had undermined the GNU by not taking swift action against Gouws.
“And John should be told that he’s undermining his own government. If the government fails, he will be accused as one of the designers of the failure. Now, for a government of unity to succeed there has to be trust and respect for one another,” said Meshoe.
He said it was disappointing that the DA had still not taken action against Gouws when he had made public statements and should have just been given a few days to explain his case.
“When the government is trying to bring reconciliation, and one of the partners is bringing people who undermine unity because of their racial opinions, I think it is wrong.”
Meshoe said Steenhuisen had made a “bad decision” by appointing Cabanac.
“Racial conflicts have caused many tears, and lives were lost in this country. So, he really made a bad decision there. And if he’s open to advice, the advice should be to fire that guy.”
Meanwhile, advocacy group, the Free Market Foundation, also questioned the position taken by the DA, but focused on how it had shunned its members and support base by joining the GNU.
“It was clear from the start that the DA should not enter into any form of coalition with the ANC. The parties are diametrically opposed.
“The DA’s ideology of liberalism, responsible government and rational policy flies in the face of the ANC’s archaic socialism, cult-like Marxism and endemic culture of corruption,” wrote Nicholas Woode-Smith.
He warned that If the DA continued on this “path of contrition” to the ANC, refusing to do what it must to fulfil its demands, the party was likely to splinter.