“Racist” tweet lands Standard Bank employee in hot water
JOBURG – While uproar continued about estate-agent, Penny Sparrow's post which compared black people to monkeys, Chris Hart, a global investment strategist at Standard Bank Wealth and Investment also caused an uproar on Twitter on 3 January after posting an allegedly racist remark.
The tweet, which read “More than 25 years after Apartheid ended, the victims are increasing along with a sense of entitlement and hatred towards minorities….” caused Twitter users around the country to label him as condescending and a racist.
Hart insists that the tweet was not meant to be offensive if read in context.
More than 25 years after Apartheid ended, the victims are increasing along with a sense of entitlement and hatred towards minorities….
— Chris Hart (@chrishartZA) January 3, 2016
Hundreds of Twitter uses added their opinions to the debate and argument that followed, and while many people agreed with his point of view, more have been angered by the way he phrased the tweet, and what it implied.
@chrishartZA ag Chris, you have just fallen victim to the anti white campaign in SA. No apology was needed. It is what it is, truth.
— #IstandwithIsrael (@anti_ANC) January 3, 2016
@florenceletoaba @chrishartZA @JawitzProp There's much distinction when writing your thoughts and speaking them…writing is more purposeful
— Thabo Moetji (@thabomoetji) January 3, 2016
Hart was quick to tweet an apology, which many Twitter users proceeded to mock.
According to an article published by EyeWitness News, Standard Bank plans to institute disciplinary action against Hart over comments he made on the social media platform.
This tweet has caused offense – never intended for which I apologize wholeheartedly. Meant to be read in context of slow growth
— Chris Hart (@chrishartZA) January 3, 2016
It was reported that Standard Bank spokesperson Ross Linstrom said, “The comments made by him are factually incorrect and make inappropriate assumptions about South Africa. And accordingly, we’ve initiated the appropriate internal disciplinary procedures to ensure that these type of personal comments are not associated with the Standard Bank group in the future.”
Also under fire for offensive comments made on social media is a former employee from Jawitz Properties, Penny Sparrow.
Sparrow sent Twitter into a frenzy after she posted a statement on Facebook in which she referred to black people as ‘monkeys’.
Although the estate agency stated that Sparrow had not been employed with them since November 2015, she has still been using the company logo on her social media accounts. Now the agency plans to take actions against Sparrow.
CEO Herschel Jawitz stated that Sparrow’s comments have damaged the company’s reputation and she must account for her actions. “We will take whatever action we deem necessary, including criminal, civil or any other action to get it removed and to get her shut down. We view this very seriously, it’s a very serious matter.”
On top of that, there are reports that the Democratic Alliance plans to lay criminal charges against Sparrow. A statement released by the DA stated, “Today the Democratic Alliance has laid criminal charges against Penny Sparrow, for investigation of Crimen Injuria for infringing the dignity of all South Africans and for dehumanising black South Africans.
DA member Herman Mashaba laid the criminal charges against Penny Sparrow with the SAPS, and a case has been opened.”
https://twitter.com/AldrinSampear/status/683950501428334593/photo/1
Penny Sparrow has since spoken out about what compelled her to post the original statement on Facebook.
Speaking to News24, she said, “I am sorry that it has taken such a viral turn, but it was just a statement of how it was. I made the mistake of comparing them [black people] with monkeys. Monkeys are cute and they’re naughty, but they don’t see it that way, but I do because I love animals.”
She added, “I wasn’t being nasty or rude or horrible, but it’s just that they make a mess. It is just how they are.”
Sparrow said that she had been inundated with messages and hate mail, after it emerged that she had sought the help of the police as she feared for her life.
She concluded by saying that she was born in East Africa and “raised by blacks, that’s just how it was” and hence had no reason to have anything against a black person.
