The ANC has called on South Africans to “embrace democratic principles” and declare war on racism and individuals who support it.

“The African National Congress calls on all South Africans to declare war on racism and for political parties to refrain from undermining democracy through calls that undermine a democratic outcome,” spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said in a statement on Sunday.

“The uninformed call that President Zuma must fall are (sic) a ploy to divert a real conversation on racism that finds expression in the comments of a minority belonging to a particular party that is intent of achieving the impossible return to a racist past.”

Kodwa made the statement in reaction to the “Zuma Must Fall” banner erected in Cape Town on Friday.

The City of Cape Town told News24 on Friday that it knew who had put the sign up, and would prosecute him for failure to comply with the Outdoor Advertising and Signage by-law.

Kodwa said South Africans should embrace their diversity and rally against the “scourge of racism”.

“It is evident that this campaign which is privately sponsored by particular formations can only polarise society resulting in strained relations amongst our people. Let us in our diversity embrace democratic principles and practices. Our failure to rise to the occasion will result in history judging some amongst us harshly.”

‘MISSION ACCOMPLISHED’

ANC supporters removed the Zuma Must Fall poster in the Cape Town CBD on Saturday.

The party’s Cape Metro spokesperson Khaya Yozi said it was mission accomplished.

“The message we want to send out there is that the racism that is down here in Cape Town is not acceptable.”

ANC MP Bongani Mkongi meanwhile landed himself in hot water for calling for the banner and the building to be burnt down.

“Join the ANC in Cape Town today at 14:00 to burn down the billboard saying ‘ZumaMustFall’,” he said on Facebook.

“The billboard must not be lifted down, but, burnt down.”

One person commented: “We can’t burn it down as it is pasted against an apartment block, people inside the apartment will burn to death. We can remove it though.”

Mkongi responded with: “They must burn to death as it is life for them to keep it that way.”

The ANC MP apologised for his “offensive and provocative” comments after the ANC took him to task.

On Saturday, the Democratic Alliance said it would take Mkongi to Parliament’s ethics committee over the remarks. News24