Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane was at the centre of a Twitter storm on Wednesday when he joined the #coffincase debate over two white men assaulting a black man and put him in a coffin.
Maimane tweeted: “Waiting for the two #coffincase people who act in despicable manner against the South Africa we ought to build. Racism must be destroyed.”
Maimane posted the tweet, along with a picture of three black men carrying rocks.
Waiting for the two #coffincase people who act in despicable manner against the South Africa we ought to build. Racism must be destroyed. pic.twitter.com/CfIc23ElDT
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) November 16, 2016
He was commenting on the case of Willem Oostheizen and Theo Martins Jackson who are charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The DA leader’s tweet prompted a chorus of disapproval.
@nealcol tweeted: “Tweet of the day @MmusiMaimane, pass me a rock. #CoffinCourtCase”
Afriforum called the tweet disgusting and demanded prosecution, while others said Maimaine has “double standards”.
However, there were people who agreed with Maimane.
Xolani Zono said: “A meme is not a representation of actions. Please. Let’s see this for what it is. A visual representation of feelings.”