SAHRC files case against Louis Liebenberg in the Equality Court - POLITICS

This concerns several WhatsApp voice notes, which contain repeated use of the K-word

The SAHRC files a case against Louis Liebenberg in the Equality Court for alleged racist statements and hate speech

Friday November 15, 2024

Today, 15 November 2024, the Gauteng Provincial Office (GPO) of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) filed court papers against Mr Louis Liebenberg for alleged racist statements. This follows the SAHRC’s filing of an application in the Equality Court of the Pretoria High Court on November 7, 2024, against Mr Liebenberg over the same statements.

The SAHRC is bringing this application to the Equality Court after receiving complaints about Mr Liebenberg’s statements on several WhatsApp voice notes, including the repeated use of the K-word, references to black people as monkeys and nostalgia for apartheid and discrimination . The SAHRC requests the court to classify Mr Liebenberg’s statements as hate speech within the meaning of section 10(1) of the Promotion of Equality Prevention of Unfair Discrimation Act 4 of 2000.

The SAHRC argues in its documents that Mr Liebenberg’s statements constitute hate speech, unfair discrimination and the propagation of unfair discrimination. The SAHRC also wants the court to order Mr Liebenberg, among other things, to apologize unconditionally and not to repeat hate speech on social media platforms and/or public platforms.

Statement issued by Wisani Baloyi, SAHRC Communications Coordinator, November 15, 2024