MiWay rubbishes racist email as ‘fake news’
The mail speaks of a managerial decision not to accept 90% of claims made by black people as from August 2017.
POLOKWANE – The screenshot of the apparent email surfaced on social media on Thursday, 20 July, with the insurance company saying it is fake news.
In the email, addressed to a ‘Nobu,’ a reminder is sent stating a decision was made in a managerial meeting to “reject 90% of claims made by black people as from 1 August 2017.”
The email goes on further to state that they (black people) are easy targets and rejecting claims made by black people is a “great opportunity to save money and…punish these black baboons.”
In an official statement, MiWay says they have investigated the origins of the snapshot of a supposed email sent by a MiWay employee, Aarthi Roopnarain.
“MiWay can categorically confirm that the email is fake,” the statement read.
MiWay CEO, René Otto said: “MiWay is a proudly South African company committed to diversity and transparency. We have been made aware of a racist email purported to have been written and sent by a member of staff. An urgent investigation was launched and we can confirm that the email with its content was never sent from a MiWay employee. There was also no such meeting that took place or decision to this effect.”
The email has the insurance company trending on social media with many calling for customers to cancel their insurance policies.
https://twitter.com/ANetshidziv/status/888029017181442048
Have you cancelled your #MiWay insurance cover yet? Better do so if your'e black and proud. #BlackTwitter @miwayinsurance #racismmustfall pic.twitter.com/SrhXsN0g3M
— Lwazisto (@Lwazistos) July 20, 2017
Others, however, have noted that the email is fake
#MiWay the person who was concocting this email didn't even get a chance to finish the disclaimer section…😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/AlFFfoebup
— King Crisp (@LarryGCrisp) July 20, 2017
I'm all against racism, but the #MiWay email looks fake. The red lines on the name sends an alarm. Someone has something against #Aarthi
— R1BillionChallenge💰💰💰 (@TomSleeve) July 20, 2017
But that email looks fake #MiWay
— Temba (@iamtemba) July 20, 2017
#MiWay email is fake & baited the usual "outrage brigade"!
The Head of Claims is a black lady. Why would she or any manager agree to this? pic.twitter.com/43JuxXsHl4
— Sihle Ngobese (@BigDaddyLiberty) July 20, 2017
“We are tracing the source of this fake content on social media and will take strong and appropriate action against anyone using our brand to disseminate offensive and derogatory comments,” Otto concluded.
