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DA MP Alf Lees
DA MP Alf Lees has caused a storm on social media after he said in parliament he would need to paint his face black with shoe polish to benefit from government BEE deals.
This follows a debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday on the nationalisation of banks in the country.
The drama all started when Lees said the motion brought by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was not a bad idea, but “mad idea”, which prompted EFF MPs to raise several points of order.
Lees, speaking in IsiZulu, then said he would paint himself black with shoe polish. The DA MP said he made the remarks after he was accused of being white and racial slurs were thrown at him by EFF MPs.
“I am quite happy to withdraw that comment provided that the comments about my race are withdrawn,” Lees said.
But the EFF fired back, saying the MP cannot put conditions to his “racism”.
Lees eventually gave in to the EFF’s demands and withdrew his remarks “unconditionally”.
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