An East London businessman is caught up in a racism storm, after his social media posting earlier this week. Russel Kruger allegedly posted a picture of his child on Instagram, with the face painted black and the caption: “Using my child to apply for business grants, hope we come right.”
After painting his kid in black & saying “this is a form of getting government grants”… Russel Kruger went from claiming to have been hacked to his child playing. Run Racist Run. #RusselKruger pic.twitter.com/2lecjGNPLR
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) April 24, 2020
A case of crimen injuria has been opened against him.
The social media post that spurred the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) into action as the party opened a case against the businessman. EFF Eastern Cape Chairperson Yazini Tetyana says they want Kruger to face the same fate as convicted racist Vicky Momberg.
“We want him to face a similar fate as Vicky Momberg and other racists that are there and are still hiding. East London is a hotspot for racism in our observation so we need to teach a lesson to Russel.”
EFF BCMM NOTES WIYH DISGUST A RACIST INSTAGRAM POST BY ONE EAST LONDON MUGG & BEAN SHAREHOLDER MR RUSSEL KRUGER pic.twitter.com/TvGkBTnSDn
— Economic Freedom Fighters BCMM Region (@BcmmEff) April 25, 2020
Social media has been abuzz with angry responses. Among them, Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, calling Kruger’s action as racist and bottom of the barrel behaviour.
I’m not even gonna pretend like I’m shocked at this blatant racism.@Mugg_and_Bean If this man truly is who they say he is, I hope you are dealing with this bottom of the barrel behavior! https://t.co/y1QGe0pKTc
— Zozibini Tunzi (@zozitunzi) April 24, 2020
If you Mugg and Bean group want us to take you seriously you must Buy that part shareholder Russel Kruger out
Some of us can’t support a going concern which has a racist as it part shareholder
It’s either your clients OR Russel Kruger
Make your choice and live with it https://t.co/7YUJp0XHQa— Palesa Flower (@PSeretlo) April 24, 2020
There is also a twitter post, seemingly made by Kruger, in which he apologises for his behaviour. When approached by SABC News, Kruger declined to comment, except to say he was seeking legal advice.
Tetyana says there are a lot of racist people hiding in East London.
“There are elements that refuse to accept the new dispensation; racist elements. In East London I can assure you that there is quite a lot of them hiding; they come out one by one. We don’t have space for such racists. They belong in jail.”
The Human Rights Commission says it will investigate the case.
In the video below, a case of crimen injuria is opened against East London businessman Russel Kruger after he posted blackface picture of his daughter on Instagram.
