EFF Western Cape calls on the Speaker of the Cederberg Municipality, John Hayes, to step down with immediate effect for his racist tweet that associates members of the EFF with monkeys

EFF Western Cape calls on the Speaker of the Cederberg Municipality, John Hayes to step down with immediate effect for his racist tweet that associates members of the EFF with monkeys.

The DA speaker of the Cederberg Municipality, John Hayes, is in hot water for a social media post depicting a picture of a troop of monkeys, sitting on top of a car, seemingly trying to steal a hubcap, with the words, "Be careful. The EFF strike started".

A complaint has been lodged with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against Hayes by the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation's Billy Classen. However Hayes said he didn’t understand what “the fuss is about” as he regarded the video as making reference to “possible looting” during the national shutdown.

“I have explained myself to the DA leader and the mayor. I have not (done) anything wrong. I am not a racist and will never be. Actually I am involved in a project which I fund out of my own pocket of feeding children, who are majority black.”

He believed that he would weather the storm. But Hayes remained adamant that he saw nothing wrong with the video.

“I never saw it as racist. Nowhere was there a racist connotation. To me it was just a joke. It was funny. I am not stupid, I would have never reposted something that is racist,” said Hayes.

He said the uproar was just started as a “political smear against him by people who wanted him out of the council“ as he was involved in rooting out corruption.

"This is racial propaganda where it is directly referred to human beings as monkeys," Classen said.

"This post referred to EFF members as baboons. This is racist to refer to human beings as baboons, and councillor John Hayes should have known better in this regard.

Hayes shared the post on his Facebook profile following the EFF's national shutdown on Monday.

The post has since been deleted. 

The SAHRC's Western Cape acting provincial manager, Matthew du Plessis, confirmed the complaint was lodged.

"We are aware of the matter and are investigating," he said.

Asked for comment, Hayes told News24 the post was more like a "funny video" with a little monkey taking off a hubcap from a car.

Recently, Hayes reportedly submitted a “false sick note to the council”.

“The Rapport newspaper ran a story about me allegedly submitting a false sick note. I submitted all relevant documentation.

“I am bigger than this. Yes, it’s difficult. But I will once again be greater. I am lost for words,” said Hayes.

Mayor Ruben Richards was not immediately available for comment.