Former employer distances itself from Penny Sparrow

In a statement released earlier today, the Democratic Alliance categorically condemned “the racist words of Penny Sparrow, which have no place in South African society”.

DA national spokesperson Refiloe Nt’sekhe said the party in KwaZulu-Natal had served notice of intention to suspend Sparrow’s membership and had referred her conduct to the Federal Legal Commission for investigation.

More than two decades after the end of apartheid, racist abuse on social media and online is so commonplace that several media outlets previous year shut down the comments sections under news articles.

She also said her phone had been inundated with angry messages.

In a statement, the ANC said such remarks were reminiscent of the apartheid attitude towards the indigenous people of the country.

“From now”, she adds, “I.[sic] Shall [sic] address the blacks of South Africa as monkeys as I see the cute little wild monkeys do the same pick drop and litter [sic]”.

“I had a brief conversation last night letting her know what I thought of her comments and what she had done to our brand”.

“What these comments show is that the divisions and lines created by apartheid are still very clear 21 years on”, Ditshego said.

The EWN report revealed that CEO Herschel Jawitz said Sparrow’s comments have damaged the company’s reputation and she must account for her actions.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane said, “The critical issue for the DA is the fact that we take action”.

Meanwhile, the South African Civic Organisation (Sanco) has hit out at the DA for laying criminal charges against Sparrow while at the same time, allowing Diane Kohler-Barnard to represent the party in Parliament.

The party has also laid criminal charged against Sparrow. Further adding that they do not tolerate or share her views.

The ANCYL said Sparrow “must pay” for her backward utterances.

There is no place for these views in our country, in our society, in our industry and especially not in our Company.