The document, allegedly from acting Stellenbosch municipal manager Duppie du Plessis, was released to the media on Wednesday by the African National Congress.<\/p>\n
But the ANC itself said it could not vouch for the veracity of the document, and Du Plessis told Sapa that he never wrote such an email.<\/p>\n
“It’s a hoax,” he said. “They are trying to discredit me, I presume.”<\/p>\n
The ANC’s decision to release the document comes at a time when racial tensions in South Africa are higher than they have been for many years.<\/p>\n
The document is written as if it is an email dated March 8 from Du Plessis to local government MEC Anton Bredell.<\/p>\n
It contains a discussion of by-election results, and of infighting in the Stellenbosch municipality, which is controlled by an alliance of Zille’s Democratic Alliance, the Independent Democrats and other parties.<\/p>\n
Du Plessis, formerly an adviser in Zille’s office, was seconded to the municipal post in December, after the alliance took control of the municipality from the ANC. At one point the writer uses the words “you can’t trust a hotnot”, and at another “the one kaffir is leaving the job this week”.<\/p>\n
Western Cape ANC heavyweight Lynne Brown told journalists the party wanted the veracity of the document to be tested.<\/p>\n
“This letter was sent to the ANC by somebody we don’t know,” she said.<\/p>\n
“And that’s why we’re putting it into…. we’re telling you about it, and we will be taking it to the Human Rights Commission.”<\/p>\n
The ANC’s interim leader in the province, Membathisi Mdladlana, claimed the document was prima facie evidence of racism.<\/p>\n
He also said that after the death of Afrikanse Weerstandsbeweging leader Eugene Terre’Blanche, it was “important that we make sure that we don’t make people angry”.<\/p>\n
He said Zille should show courage and leadership by “slaying the dragon of racism wreaking havoc in your party and threatening to destroy our democracy”.<\/p>\n
Du Plessis told Sapa that he did not use the email address on the document, munmanager@stellenbosch.org.<\/p>\n
He sent emails from a laptop, using the province’s server, and his email address had a pgwc.gov.za suffix. <\/p>\n
At his request, the municipality’s IT manager had determined that no such email was sent from the munmanager address on that date.<\/p>\n
He said he welcomed an inquiry, and that investigators would have full access to the municipality’s computers.<\/p>\n
“We are a public institution and our books are open,” Du Plessis said.<\/p>\n
The province’s director of communications, Nick Clelland-Stokes, said in a statement that MEC Bredell also denied receiving the alleged email.<\/p>\n
He said Zille had nevertheless instructed the province’s acting director-general, Brent Gerber, to appoint an independent investigator to determine the authenticity of the document.<\/p>\n
“If the allegations are proved to be true in any way, serious and far-reaching disciplinary steps will follow,” he said.<\/p>\n
“If the email is found to be fraudulent, as Mr Du Plessis maintains, further action will be taken against the ANC.”<\/p>\n
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