The civil rights organisation AfriForum directed a letter to Sisi Ntombela, the Free State Premier, in which the dismissal of Mathabo Leeto, the Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, is demanded. This follows after Leeto was reported to have said in the Provincial Legislature in Bloemfontein that white South Africans are rapists and that the graves of white people need to be dug open so that their dead bodies can account for their alleged sins.
This comment followed shortly after charges of alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering of R20 million against Leeto and several other representatives were withdrawn.
Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, says that Leeto’s remark is not only racist, but that it is also deceitful and grossly insulting. “If the necessary disciplinary steps are not taken against Leeto, one can only conclude that her misconduct is endorsed by the provincial government.”