POLOKWANE – The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC) says it has on numerous occasions, urged political leaders to recognise and take responsibility for the power they wield through their words and say they are deeply concerned by recent alleged utterances attributed to Provincial Leader of the Freedom Front Plus, Marcelle Maritz.
A video of Maritz surfaced last month where she refers to the APK Church as the “Church without K****rs”.
Read more: [LISTEN] Claims over K-word: Lim FF+ Leader in hot water
Maritz has since denied using the k-word and criminal charges were laid against her at the Polokwane Police Station by the DA’s Provincial Chairperson, Geoffrey Tshibvumo and NCOP Member, Beyers Smit
Read more: Video of Marcell Maritz was taken in 2017, not 2015 as stated by the FF+
The SAHRC says the video clip attributed to Maritz, on a prima facie basis, amounts to hate speech under section 10 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA).
“It is trite and settled law that in our democracy no tolerance will and should be given to hurtful epithets such as the k-word. The SAHRC condemns these racially divisive utterances, as they go against the non-racialist values upon which South Africa’s constitutional democracy is founded,” their statement read.
In addition, the Commission say they are investigating the matter and will be approaching the Equality Court for appropriate relief herein.
When asked for comment on the allegations, Maritz told Review that she has been advised by her lawyers not to speak on the matter.
