Case against ‘Diwali Facebook ranter’ postponed

The case against a disgruntled Durban man accused of racism after going on a Facebook rant saying he would “derive pleasure” in strangling Indian “idol worshippers” has been postponed by the Durban Magistrates’ Court.

Dawie Kriel faces charges of crimen injuria after the DA and ANC lodged a complaint against him for his alleged racist comments attacking Hindus during the Diwali festival in October last year.

His case was postponed after his Legal Aid lawyer withdrew her services during his brief appearance in court. His new lawyer has asked the court to postpone the matter so that a plea statement could be prepared.

Kriel wrote that the “idol worshippers” must “piss off” to India. He also lamented that President Jacob Zuma allowed the controversial Gupta family licences to import “sh*t by the container”.

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“Same story every year. Despite the outcry about crackers every year and in spite of the ban on the imports, Zuma still gives the Gupta’s and company license [sic] to import that sh*t by the container load. Profit profit profit,” he said.

“To those idol worshippers and devil disciples who buy them in the name of religion, piss off back to your dark hole in the backwoods of India you dickhead!! I could strangle you morons with my bare hands and derive great pleasure in watching your face turn blue and your tongue pop out,” he posted.

Kriel has apologised for his remarks, saying he made the post “out of anger”.

During his last appearance in court in November, he intended to plead guilty to the charges.

His case has been adjourned to January 27, and he remains out on bail.