By Neelam Rahim

The ANC has condemned blasphemous remarks made by its Western Cape MP Muhammad Khalid Sayed about the companions of the Prophet Muhammad [SAW]. The party says the recent comments by Sayed angered a large section of the Muslim community in Cape Town and across the country.

Joining the discussion with Radio Islam International, the ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni said they became aware of the remarks closer to the past weekend. 

He says it was brought to their attention by the many justified angry reactions. Of course, when Mr Sayed took the podium, he was not speaking on behalf of the ANC, nor was he deployed by the ANC. It was in his capacity. 

According to Sifiso, he was reprimanded once the ANC became aware of this. Also, the first to inform him to make a public apology and that those views should never be repeated, especially for a person of his stature and a public representative on behalf of the ANC. 

Regarding the public apology and whether it is enough, also having been reprimanded by the ANC, Sifiso said the matter is still seized. He will meet with the province’s officials, and national leadership has also expressed concerns about the issue. 

Meanwhile, Sifiso said the ANC share a solid relationship with the Muslim community, which has expanded over decades. Many leaders have led the evolution of the South African struggle, particularly in the Western Cape. 

“We’ve been rooted within the Muslim community, led at the ANC premier in the Western Cape by a leader of the Muslim religion. The relationship between the ANC and this particular community is quite strong.” 

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam’s podcast below.