EFF demands apology from Houghton Golf Club over Palestinian

Posted on April 23, 2026
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By Bulelwa Hoala

PICTURES: EFF demands apology from Houghton Golf Club over Palestinian flag ban
Images: EFFGautengProv on X
  • The EFF in Gauteng is demanding that Houghton Golf Club lift its ban on golfer Louis Seeco and issue a public apology after he was barred for displaying a Palestinian flag on his car.
  • The party staged a protest at the club on 22 April 2026 and shared images from the demonstration, criticising the decision as political suppression and alleging double standards.
  • The club maintains that its policy prohibits all political and religious symbols to ensure a neutral environment where no one feels excluded or offended.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has called for the immediate reversal of a ban imposed on Mr Louis Seeco, and a public apology from Houghton Golf Club, following an incident involving the display of a Palestinian flag.

The party also shared images from a protest held at the club on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, where members gathered and engaged management over their demands.

See the pics below:

Seeco, a regular golfer and club member, was reportedly banned from the establishment on 17 April after displaying a Palestinian flag on his personal vehicle while on the premises. The incident gained traction after he spoke to eNCA, sparking widespread debate on social media.

In response, Houghton Golf Club manager James Loughnane said the club prohibits political and religious symbols on its property. He explained that the policy is intended to maintain a neutral environment where no individual feels excluded, confronted or offended.

However, the EFF has strongly criticised the club’s actions, describing them as irrational and an example of political suppression.

“The EFF considers such action as irrational, unjustified, and represents a troubling suppression of political expression, particularly on a matter where South Africa has taken a clear and principled stance in support of the Palestinian people against the genocidal Zionist regime of Israel,” the party said in a statement.

The party further argued that the club’s position on political and religious symbols being “divisive” is flawed and hypocritical.

“There is nothing neutral about silencing expressions of solidarity with an oppressed people-such so-called neutrality is itself a political stance that shields injustice and avoids moral responsibility,” the statement read.

The EFF also alleged a double standard in the application of the policy.

“This hypocrisy is further exposed by the obvious double standard: had this been the flag of South Africa, the United States, or any other country, it would not have provoked the same reaction. The selective enforcement of this policy makes it clear that this is not about principle, but about suppressing a specific political message,” the party added.

The EFF reiterated its longstanding support for Palestine, referencing its previous motion in Parliament to downgrade and effectively close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa.

Meanwhile, the club has maintained that its policy applies to all political and religious expressions on its premises.

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