South Africa: Police search for suspect who defamed Ramaphosa
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Police are trying to trace a KwaZulu-Natal woman who took to social media and allegedly defamed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa by referring to him as "an ape trying to act like a First World president".
Ironically, the scandal comes while Ramaphosa is being saluted around the world for his handling of the coronavirus crisis in South Africa and the rest of the continent.
PANA reports that national police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo has confirmed that a case of crimen injuria has been opened and was under investigation at the Brighton Beach police station.
Naidoo said the Facebook post went viral and the suspect has deactivated her profile.
The incident occurred just kilometres away from Margate where an estate agent sparked a national outcry three years ago by referring to black tourists as “monkeys” in a Facebook post. Penny Sparrow was convicted of using hate speech and fined.
And two years ago, Johannesburg businessman Adam Catzavelos made headlines when he filmed himself on a beach in Greece celebrating that there were no “kaffirs” around.
The deeply derogatory slur was used to insult blacks in the Apartheid-era. His video clip which he sent to a few friends, went viral around the world within hours.
Catzavelos was arrested on his return to South Africa and convicted and fined. He issued a public apology, saying the incident had destroyed him.
-0- PANA CU/AR 23Apr2020
