DA DECISION ON KOHLER-BARNARD

31 October 2015

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip notes the decision of the Democratic Alliance to expel its racist MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard from Parliament and the party. The ANC in Parliament had called for her expulsion from the national legislature as this institution, founded on the values of non-racialism, equality and democracy, cannot afford to harbour racists and white supremacists of Kohler-Barnard's ilk. We also note that this might not be the end, as the party's policy allows her to appeal.

The DA's decision to expel Kohler-Barnard, although on the face of it looks principled, would do little to cleanse itself of its twin demons of racism and apartheid rule. Her views are shared by many in the DA and are part of private discussions at their family dinner tables and other such private gatherings. Such views would from time to time publicly slip through their tongues or express themselves through their actions.

The fact is that there remains public representatives guilty of racism within the DA ranks against whom no action was taken, which makes the party's decision against Kohler-Barnard appear like a convenient public relations stunt.

These public representatives include DA deputy chief whip Mike Waters (who posted a racist picture last year depicting Black ANC voters as dogs), DA MPL Theuns Botha (who referred to ANC MPL as “ 'n bobbejaan”),  DA councillor in the Nelson Mandela Bay (who referred to a fellow UDM councillor as "councillor bobbejaan"), and racist DA councillors who referred to the party's Councillor in Tshwane, Winston Campbell, as 'hottentot' and 'bruin man'. Campbell has since resigned.

Until the DA has consistently dealt with all racists within its ranks, it would continue to struggle to convince South Africans that it has transformed and is a home for all people regardless of the colour of their skin.

We are not moved by the party's public relations stunt, which could have more to do with internal factional battles than an attempt to cleanse itself of racism. The party ought to deal viciously and consistently with all cases of racism within its ranks, not just convenient low-hanging fruits, to prove its commitment to the values upon which our constitutional democracy is founded.

The DA's decision on Kohler-Barnard, far from being a positive move, is a serious indictment on the DA as a party that is still haunted by demons that characterised the nation's darkest period prior to the dawn of democracy and non-racialism in 1994.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, 31 October 2015