SAHRC takes man to court over social media post about Vatsonga people

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will be taking a man to the Equality Court in Tiyane, Limpopo, for alleged hate speech in a social media post about the Vatsonga people.

In July, the SAHRC received complaints from several members of the public relating to a social media post by Hamilton Mkhothokgo, which was widely disseminated.

According to the commission, Mkhothokgo had been found making remarks regarding the Vatsonga nation which the SAHRC is convinced constitute hate speech, harassment as well as unfair discrimination based on ethnic and social origin.

“The remarks included, among others, statements referring to offering the lives of the Vatsonga nation as sacrifices to the Covid-19 virus, as this specific ethnic group do not bring any value to society”, SAHRC Limpopo provincial office manager Victor Mavhidula said in a statement.

The Chapter 9 institution then approached the Equality Court in Tiyane to discuss the matter as it relates to tribalism.

The matter will be heard on Thursday.

Mavhidula said the SAHRC is supported by the chairperson of Contralesa in Limpopo in its application to court.

“The fragile nature of ethnic and tribal relations and social cohesion in South Africa and specifically within the Limpopo province, frequently dominates media reports,” Mavhidula added.

The SAHRC believes there is a great need to promote unity in diversity and human rights values as enshrined in the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the Republic. He also said respect for the rule of law was needed.

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