Racism remains SA’s most stubborn problem, as SAHRC sees spike in complaints

Equality, economic and social rights make up the bulk of violations reported to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), with racism the highest reported reason for unfair discrimination.

This was not surprising though, according to the commission, given South Africa’s history of colonialism and apartheid, which institutionalised the denial of rights to the majority black population and entrenched a system of inequality.

Racially-charged hate speech

A significant number of these complaints are based on racially-charged hate speech, with the report noting that this was a strong indicator of the entrenched and routine expression of racism in interpersonal contexts, in the workplace, and on social media platforms.

Gauteng amongst the biggest culprits

The number of equality complaints lodged with the commission has steadily increased over the last three financial years, with the Gauteng province recording the highest number of equality complaints with the exception of the 2019/2020 financial year.

Racism at the record high

Racism complaints hit the record of 511 complaints in 2019/20, from 208 in 2012/13, followed by discrimination based on disability which increased from 45 to 78 over the same period.

Chairperson of the SAHRC Bongani Majola said they remained acutely concerned that equality related complaints have remained high and at the top five human rights violations over the past six years.

He called for strong efforts geared towards fostering social cohesion.

“It is hoped that the vigorous implementation by the state and other role players of the National Action Plan, to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance will assist in addressing and reducing inequality and discrimination in all their manifestations,” Majola said.

Discrimination based on sexual orientation is also in the increase, from 14 cases in 2012/13 to 52 in 2019/20 while there has been a slight decrease in complaints related to ethnicity related discrimination, from 39 to 35 cases.

The number of complaints related to ethnicity based on ethnicity was the highest in 2013/14, at 55 cases.

The total number of complaints increased by 13% from the previous financial year, which the commission has partly attributed to increased advocacy, outreach and awareness activities during the period under review.

siphom@citizen.co.za