There has been a mixed reaction to a video posted on social media showing eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba telling a man to “shut up your mouth” after he was interrupted while addressing refugees seeking assistance in Sherwood, Durban.
“… Hey, I’m talking with the Africans. Shut up your mouth. I’m not talking to you,” said Xaba in a raised voice.
The mayor then began to shoo Yeshelen Govender, a civil society humanitarian activist, away, telling him, “Just get out. You’re not an African,” before instructing the police in attendance to remove Govender.
While some people tried to escort Govender away, a policeman placed his hand on the man’s arm to direct him away from the group.
Someone then asked Govender: “Why are you behaving like this?”
“Because he is not telling the truth,” he responded.
In a letter to the mayor, shared with the POST, Narendh Ganesh, a political and community leader and a social activist, called Xaba’s utterances “an absolute disgrace”.
“While the exact context of this interruption is not exactly clear, but your insidious response is clear as crystal. You immediately unleash a tirade at the man for his interruption, but importantly, you as the mayor, readily create a divisive approach by stating ‘I am talking to the Africans. You are not an African’. What was the reason for this statement by invoking the race element?”
Ganesh asked that the mayor justify the use of the word “African” and why it was used.
“Evidently, the intonation of your outburst has a disturbing racial undercurrent, if not a bias, and has obviously stirred the wrath and ire of many, the author included. I am convinced that you will attempt to gainsay any chastisement directed at you but I would like, as a citizen of the municipality and this country, state that your conduct and utterance is an absolute disgrace.
“As the mayor, commanding the council that you do, I would hope that there will be a level of contrition exhibited by you and an apology to everyone will be forthcoming. Just a little piece of advice Sir – try not intimidating people with such outbursts, noting you had the protection of security petsonnel around you.
“You could have, given the volatility of the situation that is currently prevailing, been both diplomatic and courteous to a citizen whom you will soon be inviting to vote for you to retain your position, instead of inveighing with unceremonious hostility. I trust you will do the right thing.”
@post.newspaperThere has been a mixed reaction to a video posted on social media showing eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba telling a man to “shut up your mouth” after he was interrupted while addressing refugees seeking assistance in Sherwood. For full story, visit www.thepost.co.za
Another social media user, Meshantan Naidoo, said for a public servant, what transpired was “totally unacceptable”.
“Whatever the circumstances were, a leader that was placed in position by the ANC should not behave in this manner. There’s already rising tension in this city. This is not what’s needed at this time.”
He asked that Xaba account for his actions.
Sihle Christian asked why the man disrupted Xaba while he was discussing something with another person, adding, “Respect goes both ways”.
Siayabonga Mkhize added: “If he wanted to say something, he should’ve raised his hand, not talk while the mayor was still talking. That is being disrespectful.”
Chase Farr questioned why SAPS acted on the instruction of a politician.
“Saps members are there to serve the people not a politician or political party.”
Govender said he was aware of the public interest in the matter.
“I am not going to address the issue through the media. Mayor Cyril Xaba has indicated an intention to engage me further on this matter, and I am hoping that this will be a constructive engagement.
“As far as I am concerned, the focus needs to remain on the xenophobia sweeping through our country, and the pressing humanitarian crisis that has emerged as a direct result of the xenophobia. I am prepared to release a media statement once the mayor and I have had our engagement.”
According to a report on IOL, Xaba’s spokesperson, Mlu Mtungwa, said “the person” (Govender) was not South African.
“He was a foreign national who kept interjecting while the mayor was speaking. He was very disruptive and would not allow the mayor to speak. The mayor represents all South Africans in eThekwini and does not differentiate between South Africans based on race, colour or faith. As South Africans, we are one and should not allow others to divide us.”
Govender is South African.
