Cape Town – Calls are mounting for the suspension of a senior Stellenbosch Municipality official after a video surfaced in which he allegedly made racially charged remarks about white employees.
The official, identified as Human Resource Manager Alexander Kannemeyer, is accused of admitting to deliberately enforcing hiring practices that exclude white men.
In the video, Kannemeyer appears to suggest that working conditions for white male employees should be made difficult to push them toward resignation. He also allegedly advocates appointing unskilled individuals of colour to advance transformation goals.
The remarks have drawn strong condemnation from political parties and trade unions.
So, Alexander Kannemeyer, the Human Resources manager for Stellenbosch Municipality is on video suggesting making life unbearable for white employees so that they have no choice but to resign, and then replacing them with black employees.
Persecution. Racism. Oppression. White… pic.twitter.com/0v2a5tHCyY
— My Turn – South Africa (@AliceVLAuthor) September 2, 2025
As reported by News24, the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) expressed shock at the comments, stating it is unacceptable for a senior official to compromise service delivery in pursuit of transformation targets.
Similarly, the GOOD party, through spokesperson Robin Hendrikse, condemned the remarks as deeply disturbing and rejected any form of racial engineering within government structures.
The Stellenbosch Municipality has responded by launching an official investigation.
Mayor Jeremy Fasser told IOL that the municipality is committed to upholding principles of non-racialism and equality and will take appropriate action based on the investigation’s findings.
🚨CONFIRMED CASE OF ONGOING HARASSMENT AT STELLENBOSCH MUNICIPALITY
This document is an internal memorandum from the Stellenbosch Municipality. It serves as an application and approval for a deviation from the municipality’s standard Supply Chain Management Policy procurement… pic.twitter.com/tDJCzvvYGv
— 𝖱𝖤𝖢𝖮𝖭𝟣 ®✞ (@Recon1_ZA) September 3, 2025
The Democratic Alliance (DA), which governs the Stellenbosch Municipality, has expressed deep concern over the video. In a statement, the DA reaffirmed its commitment to non-racialism and rejected all forms of discrimination, regardless of their source or target.
The party stated that the remarks, if accurately reported in context, run directly contrary to the DA’s values and principles. The DA has engaged with the political leadership of the Stellenbosch Municipality to establish the facts of the matter and to ensure that the appropriate processes are followed.
📹 The comments in the recording of an official in Stellenbosch are alarming. Appointments should only be based on merit, competence, and fairness.
The DA is engaging the political leadership of the municipality to establish the facts to ensure the right action moving forward. pic.twitter.com/S2gWLtNwy3
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) September 3, 2025
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
