A suspended Eastern Cape DA councillor accused of “orchestrating” the downfall of DA leader Athol Trollip said he did not regret exposing allegations of racism.
The City Press reported that Trollip and his family had been accused of human rights abuses, hate speech and unfair labour practices at their Mount Prospect Farm near Bedford by four farm workers.
They have since registered a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
Knight Mali, at the time, a DA councillor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro who assisted the workers, has been charged by the DA for bringing the party into disrepute and harming the interests of the party.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Mali said he had advised the workers to report the cases to the commission after they approached him for help.
He wanted to get justice for the workers and was not driven by malice.
“I will assist them until they get justice and are compensated for being victims under the Trollips,” he said.
SAHRC spokesman Isaac Mangena yesterday confirmed a complaint had been laid against the Trollips last Wednesday.
He said the commission received a series of affidavits alleging hate speech, racism and unfair labour practices.
Trollip yesterday was adamant Mali had orchestrated everything and that his political rivals were behind the plot.
He said he had not received charges from the commission and only came to hear of them from the media.
Trollip also instituted legal action against ANC councillor Lawrence Troon for defamation.
“Having sold my family farm in 2005, the timing of these false allegations is suspicious, months prior to an election,” said Trollip.
But Mali defended his actions, saying he was concerned by incidents of racial intolerance and discrimination within the DA.
“The only thing that the DA should do is to hold its members accountable when it comes to racism and human rights violations and stop persecuting me,” said Mali.
DA provincial disciplinary committee chairman Kevin Mileham confirmed yesterday the DA would institute disciplinary proceedings against Mali.
The charges follow a high court ruling in Mali’s favour last week, instructing the DA to reinstate him as party member.
Mileham said the high court order only instructed the DA to reinstate Mali and did not say anything about the DA assisting him to return to council.
Councillor stands by Trollip claims: Mali insists he was helping victims of alleged racism
The City Press reported that Trollip and his family had been accused of human rights abuses, hate speech and unfair labour practices at their Mount Prospect Farm near Bedford by four farm workers.
They have since registered a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
Knight Mali, at the time, a DA councillor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro who assisted the workers, has been charged by the DA for bringing the party into disrepute and harming the interests of the party.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Mali said he had advised the workers to report the cases to the commission after they approached him for help.
He wanted to get justice for the workers and was not driven by malice.
“I will assist them until they get justice and are compensated for being victims under the Trollips,” he said.
SAHRC spokesman Isaac Mangena yesterday confirmed a complaint had been laid against the Trollips last Wednesday.
He said the commission received a series of affidavits alleging hate speech, racism and unfair labour practices.
Trollip yesterday was adamant Mali had orchestrated everything and that his political rivals were behind the plot.
He said he had not received charges from the commission and only came to hear of them from the media.
Trollip also instituted legal action against ANC councillor Lawrence Troon for defamation.
“Having sold my family farm in 2005, the timing of these false allegations is suspicious, months prior to an election,” said Trollip.
But Mali defended his actions, saying he was concerned by incidents of racial intolerance and discrimination within the DA.
“The only thing that the DA should do is to hold its members accountable when it comes to racism and human rights violations and stop persecuting me,” said Mali.
DA provincial disciplinary committee chairman Kevin Mileham confirmed yesterday the DA would institute disciplinary proceedings against Mali.
The charges follow a high court ruling in Mali’s favour last week, instructing the DA to reinstate him as party member.
Mileham said the high court order only instructed the DA to reinstate Mali and did not say anything about the DA assisting him to return to council.
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