The United Democratic Movement [UDM] party has written to the SA Human Rights Commission to probe what they say are “racist and sexist remarks” by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos on defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent.
Broos publicly criticised Mbokazi and Orlando Pirates for his late arrival at the national team camp on Wednesday in Pretoria and labelled the incident as an “unprofessional attitude of a South African player.”
WHAT COACH HUGO BROOS SAID ABOUT MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI
“I will have a chat with him after training, and I can assure you, he’s a black guy and he will leave my room as a white guy,” said Broos during a media briefing.
The Belgian coach also reportedly went further and referred to Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels, as a “nice little woman who is his agent”.
The comment came after Broos was criticising a move by the 20-year-old from Orlando Pirates to MLS side Chicago Fire FC .
UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT WANTS BAFANA BAFANA COACH TO BE INVESTIGATED
In a statement issued on Thursday, the political party said they had also written to SAFA to express their deep concern and disgust at Broos’ comments.
“The reported comments, racially coded, derogatory, and gender-diminishing, cannot be dismissed as off-hand remarks,” said secretary-general of the party Yongama Zigebe.
“They carry historical and cultural significance in a society still healing from the institutionalisation of racism and sexism. Public figures, particularly those entrusted with national teams, bear heightened obligations to uphold the values of non-racialism, non-sexism, respect and equality.
Among others, the UDM has requested the Human Rights Commission to:
- Initiate an independent investigation into the alleged statements by Coach Hugo Broos.
- Assess whether the comments amount to unfair discrimination, hate speech, or impairments of dignity as contemplated in PEPUDA and the Constitution.
- Engage SAFA on its obligations relating to anti-racism, anti-sexism, and the safeguarding of individuals within national teams.
- Issue appropriate recommendations to ensure accountability, corrective measures, and the prevention of recurrence.
- Monitor compliance by SAFA with organisational codes of conduct and transformation charters where applicable.
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