UK politician causes social media outrage over Mandela ‘terrorist’ tweets

When news broke about former South African president Nelson Mandela’s return to hospital following a recurring lung infection, many of the posts on Twitter offered messages of support for the elderly statesman and hopes that he would get well soon. But not all of the tweets are complimentary.

The chairman of the British National Party and European parliamentary member Nick Griffin has been causing a stir by posting a slew of tweets about the elderly Nobel Peace Prize winner, saying they’re “preparing a place in hell” for Mandela.

Saint #nelsonmandela on last legs it seems. Make sure to avoid BBC when the murdering old terrorist croaks. It’ll be nauseating.

— Nick Griffin MEP (@nickgriffinmep) June 8, 2013

Memo to Guardian: #Mandela led Comnunist terror campaign & his ANC regime has incited ethnic cleansing murders of thousands of Boer farmers.

— Nick Griffin MEP (@nickgriffinmep) June 9, 2013

@web_surfer2 ANC don’t ethnically cleanse other countries, just South Africa. 1000s of Boer farmers tortured to death yet St. Nelson silent.

— Nick Griffin MEP (@nickgriffinmep) June 10, 2013

Those ‘outraged’ by ‘St. Nelson’ tweets should look at their own reactions as they prove my point. He IS a saint of a Godless religion.

— Nick Griffin MEP (@nickgriffinmep) June 9, 2013

‘Statesmen’ must be judged on results not rhetoric. Before Mandela, South Africa was safe economic powerhouse. Now crime ridden basket case.

— Nick Griffin MEP (@nickgriffinmep) June 8, 2013

He also moved on to the topic of Mandela’s ex-wife, Madikizela-Mandela:

Wonder if #Winniemandela (visiting hospita now) has stopped having teenage boysbeaten to death? “With our matches & our necklaces….”

— Nick Griffin MEP (@nickgriffinmep) June 10, 2013

The National Party has confirmed to the Guardian that its chairman is the author of the tweets, and has also drafted a blogpost to further support his argument. It featured graphic images of scenes of violence in South Africa which have since been removed, and urges readers to find out more information about the ‘White GeNOcide Project’, which aims to bring attention to the deaths of white farmers in the country.

Twitter users have largely lambasted the leader of the far-right political party for his statements, and he has replied to a few who question his authority to speak on issues in a foreign country. He has also been called a “pro-Nazi racist, fascist” by British Labour Party MP Peter Hain, who condemned Griffin’s “nasty vicious attack” on a man fighting for his life in hospital. British Prime Minister David Cameron has previously said his thoughts are with the elderly statesman, who turns 95 next month.