Standard Bank says it has suspended it’s employee, economist Chris Hart, pending an inquiry into the events of his commentary on Twitter on Sunday 3 January.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Hart wrote: \u201cMore than 25 years after Apartheid ended, the victims are increasing along with a sense of entitlement and hatred towards minorities\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
It was part of a series of tweets, but that particular post drew strong criticism, with users calling on Standard Bank to take action against the respected economist.<\/p>\n
Hart later apologised: \u201cThis tweet has caused offense \u2013 never intended for which I apologize wholeheartedly. Meant to be read in context of slow growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Monday Standard Bank released the following statement<\/a>:<\/p>\n \u201cStandard Bank Group distances itself from comments made by Chris Hart on Twitter on 3 January 2016. The comments made by him are factually incorrect, make inappropriate assumptions about South Africa and have racist undertones.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The bank followed up that statement late on Monday afternoon with the following:<\/p>\n “Standard Bank has suspended Mr Chris Hart pending an inquiry into the events of his commentary on Twitter on Sunday 3 January. The inquiry will be conducted in line with the bank\u2019s established protocols and its obligations in law.<\/p>\n “Standard Bank has distanced itself from the comments made by Mr Hart, the outcome of the inquiry will be communicated once the process has run its course.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Standard Bank to discipline economist for \u2018racist\u2019 tweets<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Racism is alive and well in South Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on racism and Standard Bank<\/h3>\n