The controversial Sodwana Bay Guest House, which refused to admit black people and government employees, has reportedly closed down.
This is according to owner Andre Slade‚ who said in a text message: “The guest house was shut down (on Monday). Now we only receive friends and family.”
TMG Digital reports that Slade sent the SMS after it tried to make a booking for last night.
The move came the day before the Kwazulu-Natal government - led by newly elected MEC for economic development and tourism‚ Sihle Zikalala - was set to confront Slade about his racist policy.
The ANC said at a press conference in Durban yesterday that “harsh action” had to be taken against Slade.
ANC provincial secretary Supa Zuma said that the party was deeply concerned that KZN continued to dominate headlines when it came to racist incidents.
“The recent racism at the Sodwana Bay Guest House undermines the progress we have made to build a non-racial society in our province‚” he said.
Last week‚ a screenshot of an email sent by Slade‚ went viral in which he stated that blacks and government employees were not welcome at his establishment. He confirmed this policy in various media interviews by quoting the Bible.
His comments and the policy are being investigated by the SA Human Rights Commission.