PRESS RELEASE: RP Says Stellenbosch Race Scandal Cannot Be Swept Under The Rug

PRESS RELEASE: RP Says Stellenbosch Race Scandal Cannot Be Swept Under the Rug

‍The Referendum Party (RP) regards the allegations of racial discrimination in the DA-run Stellenbosch Municipality, revealed in the leaked video of Human Resources Manager Alexander Kannemeyer, as deeply disturbing. While the municipality has since announced an investigation, it is troubling that Mayor Jeremy Fasser has sought to distance himself from responsibility. When this video was recorded in 2023, he was serving as Deputy Mayor, and the Municipality’s first response was not to address the content but to dismiss the story as “misrepresented to support a completely false narrative.”

In the recording, Kannemeyer rejects the principle of appointing the most qualified candidate if that candidate happens to be a white male, describes the employment of white staff as “a part of the problem,” and argues that transformation justifies such practices - even admitting his comments may be considered racist. That these remarks were made in an official meeting without challenge is damning, and points to a deeper culture problem within Stellenbosch Municipality. Until the investigation is complete, Kannemeyer should be suspended, and if found guilty of pushing racial discrimination, he should be dismissed.

RP Executive Committee member Robert King says: “This scandal suggests that while the DA may hold office in Stellenbosch, it does not truly control what happens inside its own municipality. This is one example caught on video - how many more such meetings have taken place without the public ever knowing?”

RP believes this scandal highlights the urgent need for our Non-Racialism Bill, submitted as a petition to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development in July. The Bill would abolish all race-based policy in South Africa. RP will continue to fight for a truly non-racial society where merit and competence come first - and we call on all parties who claim to support non-racialism to join us when the Bill comes before the Committee.