Disgraced ex-DA MP Renaldo Gouws joins Freedom Front Plus
Controversial former Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Renaldo Gouws has made a political comeback by joining the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus).
Gouws had his membership with the DA terminated last year after videos surfaced showing him using the K-word online. These videos, originally posted on his YouTube channel in 2010, were later deleted but resurfaced following an IOL exposé and sparked national outrage.
Gouws later apologised publicly, describing the video as a youthful mistake and expressed regret for the pain caused. His apology was part of a settlement with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which had brought a hate speech case against him.
In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, the party confirmed that the former DA MP had joined the party.
“Renaldo Gouws, popular social media personality and former DA Member of Parliament, has decided to throw in his weight with the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus)”, the party said.
“Gouws, an industrial psychologist with a significant following on platforms such as YouTube, has extensive political experience and a genuine passion for community values”.
The party added that Gouws’s core values of freedom, self-determination, and safeguarding minority rights resonate with his own convictions.
“Gouws states that the Freedom Front Plus’s core values of freedom, self-determination and safeguarding minority rights resonate with his own convictions”.
“He, therefore, welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the party in building a united, prosperous South Africa where every citizen enjoys equal rights and is free to flourish. The Freedom Front Plus heartily welcomes Gouws into its fold and looks forward to working with him.”
IOL
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za