Ruling a step against racism: Afrikanerbond

2011-09-12 14:31

Johannesburg - The hate speech judgment against ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema is the first step to non-racism, the Afrikanerbond said on Monday.

"This is a necessary first step to force Mr Julius Malema in particular, but also other high profile politicians and public figures, to be responsible and careful in the use of certain words," said secretary Jan Bosman in a statement.

"The race-card, based on suspicion, hatred and lies, is now regularly played. The inevitable consequence is that the broad South African society is becoming more race-based and divided along racial lines."

Racism "in whatever colour and whatever form" must be rejected, he said.

The Afrikanerbond felt that Malema's various statements since 2009 divided South Africa and undermined constitutional values.

He said hate speech comments were a threat to the safety of the public and to state security.

It welcomed the finding in the South Gauteng High Court that Malema's singing of the "dubhula ibhunu" (shoot the boer) song amounted to hate speech.

Bosman said the next step was for the Human Rights Commission to evaluate and assess Malema's pronouncements within the Bill of Rights context, said Bosman.

He claimed a total of 510 hate speech complaints, including the singing of "shoot the boer", were lodged with the commission against Malema.

"Our information is that the National Prosecuting Authority's provincial heads... have given the necessary permission for an investigative hearing by the HRC in which Mr Malema will be subpoenaed to testify."

The Afrikanerbond had met the commission and Malema's legal representatives to discuss the process for an investigative hearing.

"The date of the... hearing was not yet determined at the time of the meeting but it seemed as if the date was based in anticipation on the ruling of the High Court," said Bosman.

- SAPA