Councillor quits ‘racist’ DA for ANC

Campbell said last week’s decision to cross over to the ruling party stemmed from what he called racism and unfair treatment from the DA. He said he had been called a “bruin man” and a “Hottentot” during a meeting chaired by Tshwane mayoral candidate Solly Msimanga.

He claims complaints regarding the alleged racism were met with laughter by Msimanga, Rekord North reported.

“Nobody had the guts to defend me or condemn these wanton, racist attacks,” Campbell said. “I am also fed-up with the ‘youthism’ and ‘youngsterist’ preference given to girl children and boy children, who clearly do not yet possess the necessary experience,” he added.

“I am concerned for the many people I convinced to join and/or support the DA…I apologise to them,” he said.

Msimanga, however, rejected Campbell’s claims, and called him a “bitter individual”.

“I would never laugh at any racial slurs,” he said. “He is a bitter person who will do anything to discredit me now that he is with the ANC.”

“He is disgruntled because he could not make it to parliament as younger and more committed people were chosen in his place,” Msimanga added

However, Marietta Aucamp, DA chief whip in the Tshwane metro, said Campbell’s departure was because he faced disciplinary charges for failing to appear before a mandatory performance assessment panel and for consistently missing meetings without a valid apology. Campbell refuted these allegations.

Meanwhile, Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa welcomed Campbell to the ANC, saying the move was an indication of more people across the colour and class divides realising the ANC was committed to transformation.

“We believe Councillor Campbell will contribute immensely to the development programme of our city, and to building a South Africa which belongs to all who live in it,” said mayoral spokesperson Blessing Manale.

– Caxton News Service