Woolworths is being accused of mimicking slavery by tying ropes around black mannequins in an in-store display.

Woolworths customer Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha posted a complaint on the store's Facebook page requesting that the offensive display be taken down because it 'depicted Slavery'.

Woolworths response to the complaint on Facebook

Our store installation team have just got back to us, the ropes are supposed to support Christmas baubles and have been used incorrectly. We’re going to rectify the problem as fast as we can. We’re so sorry this caused any distress. Thanks so much for bringing the problem to our attention, we really appreciate it.

We have decided to rather remove the ropes from all our stores instead, as it has caused too much distress. We're so sorry about this mistake.

It was a sincere mistake, we intended to hang decorations from them. We are taking them down immediately.

Customers also aired their views on Twitter

According to women24 the Woolworths press office said the in-store mannequins are made of their new recycled material which is grey and results in darker mannequins.

This uproar comes two weeks after H&M were in hot water over a racist Twitter response.

After a customer pointed out that there were only white models on their posters, H&M responded on Twitter by claiming they used white models to portray a 'positive image' in their SA store posters.