Matthew Theunissen and his legal team have had a “very fruitful” meeting with the South African Human Rights Commission.
|||Cape Town - Should everything go according to plan, the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) investigation into Matthew Theunissen’s alleged racist utterances would be concluded by the end of the month.
The commission’s spokesman, Isaac Mangena, said had received several complaints about Theunissen’s Facebook post in which he said labelled the government a bunch of k*****s.
“As part of the investigation we met with the respondent on Monday, who came to our offices in Cape Town with his legal team. We have put the allegations to him and we are waiting for his response,” said Mangena.
Theunissen, a former Stellenbosch University student, caused a stir on social media after making a controversial post on Facebook in light of Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula’s ban on several sporting codes for their lack of transformation.
“So no more sporting events for South Africa. I’ve never been more proud than to say our government are a bunch of K*****s... yes I said it so go f*** yourselves you black f*****g c**ts (sic),” Theunissen said in his post.
After social media backlash, Theunissen deactivated his Facebook account.
He then spoke to John Maytham on Cape Talk, apologising for his comments, saying he was very angry and that he did not regard himself as a racist.
Theunissen also issued an open letter of “unconditional apology”.
Theunissen’s father’s lawyer, John Muir, confirmed they had met with the SAHRC, but could not divulge the details of the meeting.
“The meeting was very fruitful. However, I cannot give you the details.”
Muir stated that Theunissen’s actions were wrong and with him acknowledging that, he took a step in the right direction.
“Sometimes being a racist is a lot like being an alcoholic. Healing begins when you stop blaming others and acknowledge that you have a problem,” Muir said in his personal capacity.
Muir said Theunissen regretted what he said.
“He is reflecting on the incident and fully understands his wrongdoings and the backlash he has received.”
leletu.gxulwe@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
