Tshwane council chaos: DA files criminal case against EFF councillor for remarks

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane has opened a criminal case against Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) councillor Obakeng Ramabodu over his allegedly racist remarks during a council meeting.

Last week, the Tshwane council descended into chaos as members of the African National Congress (ANC) and the EFF demanded an apology from Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink over his recent utterances.

This came after Brink and his party criticised the ANC Tshwane’s move to file a motion of no confidence against the mayor. The motion was later withdrawn.

WATCH: Brink slams ANC councillors after they withdraw motion of no confidence

‘I want the blood of an Afrikaner’

During the council, Ramabodu lost his cool and said: “I’m craving to moer a Boer—I want the blood of an Afrikaner! I would be happy to moer a Boer – that will be nice, an Afrikaner’s blood. I want the blood of an Afrikaner – bring the blood of an Afrikaner – I want it!”

Watch the video below:

I absolutely reject what the EFF member said in the Tshwane council today.

This level of hatred and such a threat of violence towards Afrikaans people will not be tolerated by the VF Plus caucus in Tshwane.@VFPlus pic.twitter.com/MJ9NV3AKRH

— Mark Surgeon (@MarkSurgeon2) July 25, 2024

The EFF councillor withdrew his comment and apologised; however, the DA announced on Tuesday that it had filed a case with the South African Police Service (Saps) against him for his remarks.

DA opens case and complains to SAHRC

DA Tshwane spokesperson Kwena Moloto said Ramabodu’s remarks were “completely unacceptable, racist, and constituted hate speech. He added that the DA condemned his comments.

ALSO READ: ‘I want the blood of an Afrikaner’: Chaos at Tshwane council as mayor refuses to apologise

“On top of opening up a criminal case, the DA has also submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), and we look forward to this being investigated,” Moloto said.

Earlier on Tuesday, The Citizen reported that the DA, Freedom Front Plus, and EFF in Tshwane each planned to report cases to SAHRC and the police about the matter. 

EFF Tshwane caucus whip Godwin Ratikwana said they would not be intimidated and would take action against Mark Surgeon of the FF Plus by reporting him to the SAHRC for intimidation through his racist acts.

MMC for safety in Tshwane and FF Plus caucus leader Grundi Theunissen said because it was not the first instance that Ramabodu had directed such insults and remarks towards the FF Plus; FF Plus had already taken steps to file a complaint with the SAHRC for hate speech.

Watch Moloto speak about the charges below:

❌ Watch Cllr Kwena Moloto, DA Tshwane Spokesperson, detailing the criminal charges laid by the DA against the EFF’s Councillor Obakeng Ramabodu for his racist remarks.

There is no place for racism in our politics or society. The DA stands firm in building a united nation. pic.twitter.com/LnfyT5vf1b

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) July 30, 2024

Moloto went on to say that Ramabodu’s remarks were “completely irresponsible and can have a real-world impact.”

“The DA is committed to building society and standing against those like the EFF that wish to break it. We will not allow for racism and intolerance to fester inside our city, and we will continue to fight against this.”

ALSO READ: Tshwane council chaos: DA, FF Plus and EFF to report each other to SAHRC

Additional reporting by Marizka Coetzer and Molefe Seeletsa