News24.com | Van Damme to Zille in epic twar over racist V&A Waterfront incident: 'I don’t kowtow to bullies'

Former DA leader ignited a twar between her and DA communications spokesperson Phumzile van Damme on Sunday.

Twitter user @Alettaha was the spark that set the whole thing in motion after claiming that Van Damme was the aggressor in a “racist incident” that made headlines last week.

So it turns out my suspicions that #PvD was the aggressor + architect of the #PhantomRacism incident in the #VAndAWaterfront. Eye witness reports place her as the instigator. Now can the Family please come forward + charge her with aggravated assault? I will not pay her salary.

— ALETTAHA?♥? (@ALETTAHA) June 21, 2019

In the incident, Van Damme punched a young man “in self-defence”, after he came into her space and allegedly said “voetsek you black” and threw her phone on the ground.

Zille then replied to @Alettaha, saying: “It is hard, in these circumstances, to work out where the truth lies.”

Zille further said the people who were also involved in the incident might be too scared to come forward.

I wish the family would come forward and give us their perspective. But I suppose that are scared of potential consequences. It is hard, in these circumstances, to work out where the truth lies.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) June 22, 2019

This set off the twar, with Van Damme responding.

What potential consequences would that be, Helen? Confirming their racism? I told them in the video they recorded that they must please make it public to show their racism. You’ve clearly made your mind up, so? I will not kowtow to anyone who seeks to invalidate my experience

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) June 23, 2019

And this is what followed:

Anyone with an iota of intelligence would watch Petzer’s video & laugh. You invalidate MY experience. I was made to feel subhuman. I was threatened. In addition to that I must be dragged through the mud & you gladly join the mob with your 1m followers? I don’t kowtow to bullies.

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) June 23, 2019

I was severely traumatized. Other fools have been attacking me all week. But I won’t take it from Helen who gets away with a lot without consequences. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. https://t.co/q8jCRbXONR

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) June 23, 2019

I didn’t attack you Phumz. Last time I looked, audi alterem partem was a core DA value. We must apply it in all cases including those that involve us.

— Helen Zille (@helenzille) June 23, 2019

“Phumz” then angrily responded that Zille gets “away with a lot”.

And you do get away with a lot. You signed an agreement that you would stop with your colonialism tweets. Did you? Did you face any consequences? No. Instead it has emboldened you to not only attack Mmusi and others in the DA. Reflect on YOUR actions.

— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) June 23, 2019

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News24.com | Van Damme to Zille in epic twar over racist V&A Waterfront incident: ‘I don’t kowtow to bullies’