EntertainmentSouth Africa News

MiWay Insurance CEO apologises for his tweets

Otto came under fire after he tweeted his thoughts on the book, which is about high-ranking former National Party officials allegedly being part of a paedophile ring involving cabinet ministers in the late 1980s, causing a stir among predominantly Afrikaans-speaking users.

Chief executive of MiWay Insurance Rene Otto on Monday apologised for the “hurt and offence” caused by several tweets he sent following the release of a controversial book, The Lost Boys of Bird Island.

Rene Otto

Otto, in one instance, tweeted how absolute power corrupts and questioned if there will be any justice for the victims of the alleged abuse.

Busy reading The Lost Boys of Bird Island….shocking! Another example that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! Where is the justice for the victims?

The latter tweet garnered strong reaction from users, who accused Otto of painting all Afrikaners with the same brush and lacking moral judgement.

Other users, including AfriForum’s Kallie Kriel, called for a boycott of the insurance company in the wake of the controversial tweets.

In a statement Otto apologised for the controversial tweet, explaining that it was sent in his personal capacity and “does not reflect in any way the views of MiWay”.

“My intention with the tweet, whilst provocative, was not to hurt any person or culture, but to encourage the reading of the book and to challenge all South Africans, in particular the Afrikaans-speaking South Africans (which include me) to debate their role in nation building.

“In retrospect, I failed dismally. I made use of controversial words that hurt and offended many Afrikaans-speaking South Africans. Once I became aware of the hurt and offence I caused, I posted an unconditional apology on Twitter.”

He goes on to say that he takes full responsibility for his actions and that it was not in his nature to be hurtful or offensive. Otto adds that he does not hate Afrikaners or believe they are all bad or paedophiles and murderers.

“In fact I regard the vast majority of Afrikaners as honourable, hard-working people who make a massive contribution to the country, in all walks of life,” he said.

See more reaction to Otto’s tweets: 

https://twitter.com/FarmerpaulSA/status/1030192226343759872

Source: IOL

Also read:

#StateCaptureInquiry currently underway: Live Video

SA Predator Association fighting to ban lion bones myth

Mzansi Churches fighting for same S.E.X marriages