A storm is brewing around Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos following his recent over-the-top comments.
The Belgian raised eyebrows on Wednesday during a media briefing in Pretoria, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Brooks’ tirade was sparked by defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s late arrival in camp.
“I will have a chat with him after training, and I can assure you, he’s a Black guy, and he will leave my room as a white guy,” said Broos.
The Bafana Bafana mentor also took a swipe at female football agent Basia Michaels, criticising her involvement in Mbokazi’s move to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire, claiming it’s not the right move for the 20-year-old centre-back.
“I will tell you what I think. What is he going to do in Chicago? But I know what happens when an agent (Michaels) thinks she knows more than what many agents are doing. If she is a little bit clever, there is AFCON and next year’s World Cup; there will be other teams better for his career … not Chicago. I don’t think it is a good choice.”
As a result, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) has lodged a formal complaint at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) over what it alleges were “racist and sexist remarks” made by Broos.
“We have lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission against coach Hugo Broos for his racist and sexist remarks directed at Mbokazi and his agent, Basia Michaels,” confirmed party MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa on Thursday.
“Racism and white supremacist attitudes have no place in our society, and we will not tolerate them from anyone, including the Bafana Bafana coach. We have also written to SAFA (South African Football Association) to express our deep concern and disgust at his comments. Hugo must be held to account for his utterances.”
A letter to the SAHRC signed by UDM secretary-general Yongama Zigebe refers to section 9 of the constitution that “expressly prohibits unfair discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, and other protected categories.”
“The reported comments, racially coded, derogatory, and gender-diminishing, cannot be dismissed as offhand remarks,” states the UDM.
“They carry historical and cultural significance in a society still healing from the institutionalization of racism and sexism.
“Public figures, particularly those entrusted with national teams, bear heightened obligations to uphold the values of non-racialism, non-sexism, respect, and equality.”
SAFA are yet to respond.
