Cape Town – ActionSA party leader Herman Mashaba and education professor Jonathan Jansen had a “spicy exchange” of words on social media over the weekend about foreign nationals allegedly employed by the education department.
Mashaba took to Twitter to criticise the Basic Education Department for allegedly favouring foreign nationals over locals for senior positions.
Mashaba further said that he will take the matter up with the department minister and (South African Democratic Teachers Union) SADTU.
“It has just been brought to my attention about the employment of foreign nationals in senior positions in the Department of Basic Education. Will take this matter up with the Minister and SADTU if they have knowledge of this when South Africans are unemployed,” Mashaba wrote in a tweet.
It has just been brought to my attention about the employment of foreign nationals in senior positions in the Department of Basic Education.
Will take this matter up with the Minister and SADTU if they have knowledge of this when South Africans are unemployed https://t.co/ueIr5MmwfJ— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) January 29, 2022
Jansen responded to Mashaba’s statement by calling him a “disgraceful leader” who promotes xenophobia and embarrasses South Africans.
“You are a disgraceful leader Mr Mashaba! Stop your campaign of xenophobia. You remind me of Idi’s crusade against the Indians in Uganda. You are hateful and spiteful and an embarrassment to the country and the continent,” wrote Jansen.
You are a disgraceful leader Mr Mashaba! Stop your campaign of xenophobia. You remind me of Idi’s crusade against the Indians in Uganda. You are hateful and spiteful and an embarrassment to the country and the continent
— Jonathan Jansen (@JJ_Stellies) January 30, 2022
Mashaba did not let Jansen’s remarks go unchallenged, as he also threw his own jab, saying it was a disgrace to have an academic like Jansen taking a stance that promoted lawlessness.
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“It is truly SAD to have someone like you promoting lawlessness in a Democratic Environment. It is a disgrace to have even an Academic person taking such a stance. Why would ordinary S Africans respect our Laws when their teachers are selective in the application of its laws?,” said Mashaba.
It is truly SAD to have someone like you promoting lawlessness in a Democratic Environment. It is a disgrace to have even an Academic person taking such a stance. Why would ordinary S Africans respect our Laws when their teachers are selective in the application of its laws? https://t.co/pAQ2f35S5d
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) January 30, 2022
According to TimesLIVE, Mashaba has often been accused of being xenophobic, as he campaigns on a platform that seeks to limit the number of foreigners who are gainfully employed in South Africa.
Mashaba has previously explained that he has no issue with foreigners in South Africa, but he just wants all people who enter the country to do so legally and live in a manner that respects laws of the country.
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Picture: Twitter/ @joy_zelda
Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
