A radio presenter has been sacked after referring to a politician as a monkey live on air.
Sasha Martinengo, a presenter at South Africa’s radio Hot 91.9FM used the term while referring to radical MP Julius Malema on 2 October.
"People still listen to this monkey” he said, referring to the leader of the opposition party, Economic Freedom Fighters.
Following Martinengo’s sentiments, the radio station has issued a statement distancing themselves from the presenter.
“The statement by the presenter violated the station’s code of conduct and its commitment to our national democratic values and furthermore is viewed in an extremely serious light.
“As such, notwithstanding the presenter’s immediate and unreserved apology, the station has forthwith elected to remove him from all involvement with the radio station with immediate effect.
“Furthermore, the station hereby issues a public apology to Mr. Malema and deeply regrets any adverse inference that the conduct of the presenter has had,” the statement read in part.
Martinengo however seemed to backtrack on his apology as he later tweeted that “I’m sorry if I offended anyone, but I stand by what I said. Anyone, irrespective of their race, colour, creed, religion, gender who disrespects a woman is a monkey.”
I’m sorry if I offended anyone,but I stand by what I said.
Anyone, irrespective of their race, colour, creed , religion, gender who disrespects a woman is a monkey.— Sasha Martinengo (@F1sasha) October 2, 2018
24 years after the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, the country is still reeling from racial injustices.
In October 2017, two white farmers were jailed for attempted murder, kidnapping and assault after they were caught on film pushing a wailing black man into a coffin.
In the widely circulated video, the victim, Victor Mlotshwa is seen cringing inside a coffin as one man pushes the lid down and the other threatens to put petrol and a snake inside.
Willem Oosthuizen was sentenced to 11 years in prison as Theo Jackson got 14 years.
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