SA gov't official to be disciplined for fanning racial hatred

A government official who urged blacks to do to whites what Hitler did to Jews would be disciplined, authorities said on Thursday.

An internal disciplinary process against employee Velaphi Khumalo over his racist Facebook comments is underway, the Gauteng Provincial Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) said.

Velaphi, who works at the department, wrote on Facebook earlier this week, "I want to cleans this country of all white people. we must act as Hitler did to the Jews."

This came as the country was gripped by a racial storm sparked by racist comments after Penny Sparrow, an estate agent, labelled blacks as "monkeys" who were released onto public beaches in Durban during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The DSACR distanced itself from Velaphi, condemning his "barbaric and racist utterances".

The department said it did not condone such hateful and disturbing racial slurs which were Velaphi's personal views.

The department "views the hateful post by Velaphi Khumalo in a serious light", department official Faith Mazibuko said.

"Our key mandate is nation building and social cohesion. His sentiments take our country backwards and do not reflect what the Gauteng provincial government stands for,"Faith said.

Velaphi has deleted his Facebook page.

The Jewish Board of Deputies has called for urgent action to be taken against Velaphi. The Board would also be laying a complaint against him with the SA Human Rights Commission

A charge of crimen injuria has already been laid against Velaphi. Enditem