DA to remove controversial Phoenix election posters
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it’s taking down the controversial election posters it put up in Phoenix in northern Durban.
There’s been backlash over the posters after they went up earlier this week.
The carry the message: “The ANC called you racists” “The DA calls you heroes”.
They were branded racially insensitive by the ANC in KZN.
Some senior DA members are also said to be angry, claiming they were not aware such posters had gone up.
Party leader John Steenhuisen and DA KZN chairperson Dean McPherson defended the message this week.
The DA’s Provincial Executive Committee held an urgent meeting last night to discuss the issue.
McPherson has now said sorry.
"Sometimes in politics our words may be poorly chosen, but I wish to assure the public, without contradiction, that my intentions are always sincere."
He says he was trying to honour the bravery and heroism of law-abiding citizens who were left to fend for themselves during the July riots – but that the posters have instead hurt some people.
"At no point did I, nor the DA, and at no point would I or the DA ever condone or support those who undertook vigilante actions. In fact, I once again condemn those who undertook vigilante actions which cost lives and damage to property.
"The DA is a party of non-racialism and it was never my itention to cause any other perception."
A total of 36 people were killed in Phoenix during the unrest in attacks alleged to have been racially motivated.
