DA's Chetty under fire over xenophobicinsults

The DA’s provincial deputy leader, Mergan Chetty has come under attack for allegedly using a xenophobic insult in a recorded phone call leaked on social media during the weekend.

In a recorded phone call between Chetty and former DA councillor Lungisani Sikhakhane, Chetty was heard using a derogatory term for foreign nationals.

Sikhakhane defected from the DA to the ANC before the recent local government elections and according to the phone call, is still a friend of Chetty’s.

DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango said it was wrong of public representatives to use such language, but questioned the timing of the release of the clip.

Mncwango claims the clip is old and believes someone is trying to dent the image of the DA and that of Mergan Chetty ahead of a by-election in Woodlands.

Chetty is also a Member of Parliament in the National Council of Provinces.

The African Diaspora Forum has since criticised Chetty for allegedly using the word "amakwerekwere".

Marc Gbaffou of the forum pulled no punches in condemning Chetty’s use of the word, describing it as irresponsible.

Gbaffou said the use of derogatory terms could destroy the entire nation and added that public figures should be careful because they are talking to a broader audience, and that they should be role models.