Quinton Mtyala
A DAY after his racist rant went viral, Matthew Theunissen went on talk radio and apologised.
However, mayor Patricia de Lille sent her officials from the Inclusive City desk to meet him at his home in Noordhoek.
De Lille indicated yesterday that she had referred the matter to the SA Human Rights Commission for investigation. Theunissen said on his Facebook page: “I’ve never been more proud than to say that our government are a bunch of KAFFIRS…yes, I said it so go and fuck yourselves you black fucking cunts.”
This was in response to Sports and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula’s decision to ban three sporting codes from hosting international events over their failure to meet their own transformation targets.
De Lille, in response, said: “I condemn these comments as there is no place for racism in our society. We are healing from the division and our painful past, and we remain committed to fighting the scourge of racism and bringing about unity and inclusivity.”
Theunissen, speaking on CapeTalk, was apologetic, saying he was feeling “very angry” about Mbalula’s edict on the failure of South Africa’s cricket, rugby and athletics bodies to transform.
“I know that’s no excuse whatsoever. Sports is another passion of mine, and I’ve also been looking for a job for the last year. With the current politics in the country, I haven’t been able to find employment.
“Besides that, the main thing that made me say those words, which I regret so dearly, is the fact that we aren’t allowed to hold international sporting events. I was in an extremely bad place, and immediately reacted by deleting the post.
“Unfortunately it got to more people, and I didn’t intend to say those words,” said Theunissen.
His racist rant was not part of his character, his friends, family and previous colleagues would confirm this, he said.
“I’m not racist at all. I did have a good go at the government, I didn’t refer to the whole country in that sense (it doesn’t make it any better), but I did refer primarily to government and I understand that I did use very hurtful language. I will regret it for the rest of my life.”