M&G to discuss banning of journalist with ANC

The event is taking place at the weekend in Rustenburg.

"Carien has apologised for the tweet. We will contact the ANC to discuss their decision," said M&G editor Verashni Pillay. Pillay's comment comes after the African National Congress announced that it would ban Du Plessis from attending the event.

ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said the party had decided to withdraw her accreditation, saying it was unfortunate for a person who came from such a profession to make that sort of remark.

"But it means within the media there are racists like her who harbour hatred towards black people [and the ANC]."

Du Plessis told News24 that the ANC had not contacted her and that she was not aware of the ANC's decision.

Earlier on Thursday, Du Plessis took a photo of the News Cafe in Rustenburg with the caption, "Seems Rusty News Cafe will be a choice hangout for pantypreneurs and tenderpreneurs at this weekend's #ANC104 bash".

The term "pantypreneur" is believed to be an insulting reference to women who use sex to gain favour with the political elite. Du Plessis was in Rustenburg covering the ANC's January 8th statement as a freelancer for the Mail & Guardian.

Kodwa accused Du Plessis of being a racist because the majority of people who attended ANC events were black.

"It does not only undermine, but dehumanises women particularly those who attend... ANC events and majority of them are black and therefore her remarks are racist.

"We take offence to such derogatory and racist remarks... She has never said these things about women who attend DA events."

Du Plessis referred News24 to her apology on Twitter in response to the ANC's claim that she was a racist. She apologised after receiving criticism on the social networking site for her comment.

Even EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu responded to Du Plessis tweet, saying: "That's sexism of the worst sexism Carien! You must withdraw that statement."

Shivambu and Du Plessis had a run-in in 2012 when the then-ANC Youth League spokesperson called her a "white bitch". Shivambu apologised to Du Plessis after a settlement was reached in a court case against him.

Source: News24 via News24Wire