02 Aug 2019

Lesufi to sue Dan Roodt over South African citizenship claims

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has threatened to take legal action against author Dan Roodt over a tweet claiming Lesufi is not a South African citizen.

"... I have read all his [Hendrik Verwoerd] speeches. Yet, Lesufi makes racist statements about Afrikaans and Afrikaners. What right does this racist have to remove Verwoerd's name from anything? Lesufi isn't even South African," wrote Roodt.

#Verwoerd never slighted any racial or language group in South Africa; I have read all his speeches. Yet Lesufi makes racist statements about Afrikaans & Afrikaners. What right does this racist have to remove Verwoerd's name from anything? Lesufi is isn't even South African!
— Dan Roodt (@danroodt) August 1, 2019

Lesufi replied he was taking Roodt "to the cleaners".

I am taking this one to the cleaners. He will apologize to nation for declaring that I am not a South African. He must proof or apologize. My team is ready https://t.co/iRg5ZBqVom
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) August 2, 2019

Lesufi's spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said the MEC had briefed his attorney to compel Roodt to withdraw his "unfortunate" utterances.

"We wish to emphasize that. Lesufi is taking this insinuation that he is a racist seriously," said Mabona.

Roodt could not be reached for comment.

Many of Lesufi's followers on Twitter encouraged him to sue Roodt, with some accusing the author of being a racist.

Racists like Dan Roodt and the afriforum people like to make up lies and make apartheid war criminals look like saints.
— Welile 'Welinho' G (@WelsWG) August 2, 2019

Continue dismantling apartheid,the fact that racists are barking it means you are doing the right thing????
— Lesetsa (@MarediOupa) August 2, 2019

@EloquentTash @populistmorons @stash_jack @refilweafrica @BruceCGordon @denialmustend
Dan recently insulted Wits University on this app. He has little respect for the learning institutions in SA. Even Afriforum decided to distance themselves from him. https://t.co/LA4hfYgdoD pic.twitter.com/pk7pKval8B
— Natasha???? (@Natz_online) August 2, 2019

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