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The aspiration of the Media Review Network is to dispel the myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and to foster bridges of understanding among the diverse people of our country. The Media Review Network believes that Muslim perspectives on issues impacting on South Africans are a prerequisite to a better appreciation of Islam.

Mrn praises mercedes benz swift action

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MRN praises Mercedes-Benz swift action

The Media Review Network who this week raised the alarm about an Islamaphobic email forwarded by two employees of Mercedez-Benz SA have expressed their appreciation for the swift manner in which the company responded to the complaint. The matter has been widely covered in the media this on Tuesday, who also reported that the company had suspended two employees over the incident. Speaking to VOC on Tuesday, Ebrahim Vawda of the MRN explained that they first became aware of the email 10 – 12 days ago.

According to Vawda, the email originated from a manager at the company, identified as Frank Booysen. It included a series of photographs which originated as far back as 2004 showing a vehicle driving over the arm of a youth. It was accompanied by text, which Vawda said indicated that the author was “some kind of an evangelist”. The text, written in Afrikaans, read “We are mistaken if we think that evil was rampant or existed only in the past when man was created. The same God who created Adam, is today witnessing the evil, heedlessness and horror of the world.”

 

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Response from mercedes benz

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Response from Mercedes-Benz

Dear Mr Vawda

We have been made aware, that during the course of last week individual staff members from our company sent out emails with content of which members of the Islamic community may take offence.

The respective employees acted in a private initiative and illegally abused our company email for this purpose.   Mercedes-Benz South Africa has a zero tolerance policy in this regard and we instantly initiated disciplinary action.

On behalf of Mercedes-Benz South Africa as well as on behalf of Daimler AG in Germany I would like to reiterate our pride in our long successful history and tradition as global multi-cultural and multi-national organisations.   In fact, our diversity has always been an integral and elementary contributor to our success.

I would like to express my deep and sincere regret for this incident and promise that we will do everything possible to ensure, that something like this does not happen again.

Dr Hansgeorg Niefer
President & CEO
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd.

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Letter to mercedes benz

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Letter to Mercedes Benz

The CEO

 Mercedes Benz SA

  Sir

 The Media Review Network (MRN) is in possession of an email (see Attachment) being circulated by your Tax Manager Mr. Frank Booyzen. The letter accompanying the photographs and written in Afrikaans, smacks of 42and hate speech.

 At the outset, let me reiterate that the MRN denounces and condemns this most barbaric act in the strongest possible terms. What we also condemn is the failure of  Mr. Booyzen to verify the authenticity of the information provided by the caption of the photographs, that the act was  committed in the name of Islam and by Muslims in Iran. Nowhere in his article does he provide evidence that authenticates these assumptions.

 The Media Review Network is appalled that Mercedes Benz –SA, a company of repute, allows a senior staff member to abuse company time and resources to disseminate such unsubstantiated and distorted information.

  We therefore urge you to conduct an internal inquiry regarding this matter followed by appropriate disciplinary action.

 We expect too an apology from Mr. Booyzen to the Muslim Community of SA for this most insensitive Islamophobic conduct.

 Awaiting your urgent response,

  Yours Sincerely

 Ibrahim Vawda

 Snr Researcher

 Media Review Network

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