Cape Town - Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula's off-the-cuff comments about thugs terrorising Passenger Rail Agency of SA’s (Prasa) subcontractors along the Central Line have irked some social media users.
Speaking at a Prasa press conference earlier this week, commenting specifically on the incidents of vandalism which have plagued the Metrorail network, causing some of its commuter rail services to be halted, Mbalula reserved harsh words for those who were deemed responsible.
“The authority of the state will be felt, we will respond to that criminality because they are gun-toting with AK-47s amongst civilians.
“Terrorising our people and doing everything, and with the teeth and insulting everybody,” Mbalula said.
We are responding to criminals in Western Cape. We will deal with criminal elements who are preventing PRASA from recovering its lines. pic.twitter.com/4Pw5CjwiCC
At this moment, in the video, Mbalula gestures with his right hand as if he’s about to remove a set of dentures to sniggers of laughter from some of those in attendance at the press conference.
“We’ve got an appointment with them, they must know that.
“By the time we arrive there, their teeth must be installed, and we will find them, there in Cape Town, running down the services and threatening Prasa from operating, installing and restoring (back) the services,” said Mbalula.
He was referring to a viral video on Twitter in which two alleged gangsters, their identities are hidden, fired off an automatic rifle while threatening Prasa’s subcontractors.
Gangsters have been demanding a “protection fee” from the subcontractors to work on restoring services on the Central Line which encompasses most of the Cape Flats, passing through areas like Bontheuwel, Heideveld, Gugulethu and Mitchells Plain.
One Twitter user, Cecilia Walters, responding to Mbalula tweeted: “Oh you mean those without teeth? How do you even have the gall to say that?”
Another Twitter user, Carlo Peters tweeted: “Ive seen the video clip of @MbalulaFikile making these stereotypical comments in reference to the Cape Town coloured community, while he may (be) thinking its funny it is no different to the late Blackman Ngoro and @MzaneleManyi distateful racist utterances (sic).”
Oh you mean those without teeth? How do you even have the gall to say that?!#IStandWithTheToothless https://t.co/tVBdR23EEp
— Cecilia Walters (@Cathie1929) November 15, 2022
@MYANC @CyrilRamaphosa how is this behavior by a very senior member of both cabinet and your organization okay? It seems that the ANC harbors serious animosity towards coloureds, the Afrikaans expression applies here " Waar die hart vol is loop die mond van oor" pic.twitter.com/bwi5eFJ61Z
Mbalula’s attempt at comic relief drew a rebuke from the Cape Coloured Congress.
“In the 70s black people were made to feel stupid, to see that this being purveyed in the corridors of power is disgusting. Fikile Mbalula should go and dance with Beyoncé. Coloured people will punish (the ANC) at the polls,” said Cape Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams.
Mbalula’s spokesperson Lwaphesheya Khoza said his comments at the press conference were not made with any malicious intent.