Simelane facing 'racist' complaint
2011-09-06 13:18
Johannesburg - A complaint has been lodged against national director of public prosecutions Menzi Simelane relating to "racist" comments he made in the Sunday Times, the SA Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) said on Tuesday.
"The institute is of the view that these comments are racist, could incite racial hatred, and unfairly discriminate against whites," deputy chief executive officer Frans Cronje said in a statement.
"The institute has asked the Human Rights Commission of SA to investigate the comments and secure appropriate redress."
The newspaper quoted Simelane as saying: "It is also a fact that in all, if not most, of these crimes black people are the victims. It is also a fact that the perpetrators are mostly white men. Our courts are full of people like these."
He called for the introduction of race crime legislation and greater policing of social networking websites.
Until race legislation was enacted, South Africa would continue to have incidences where race remained a major factor, said Simelane.
His comments were in reaction to a story about a boy shown in a Facebook picture lying apparently lifeless while a white man stood over him with a rifle.
SAHRC spokesperson Vincent Moaga confirmed it had received the complaint on Monday.
"It will be put through our complaint assessment process to determine the best way of dealing with it."
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said the national director of public prosecutions (Simelane) would deal with the matter when formally notified.
"The NDPP has noted the press release by SAIRR. He will deal with the said complaint as and when he is officially notified and in receipt thereof."
- SAPA