HRC must investigate racism in the SAPS – Solidarity
14 November 2019
Solidarity requested the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) today to investigate false accusations of racism and other forms of racism in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The request follows a report by the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) which indicates that there are systemic problems regarding racism in the SAPS. The report has also been handed to the SAPS with a request for urgent action.
“The tendency of false accusations of racism in the SAPS is appalling. The report also addresses the emotional impact on victims. The SAHRC acts forcefully and on its own initiative on allegations of racism and the use of unacceptable race terms if it happens to be white on black. The reaction of the SAHRC on this report will be an important test for its objectivity,” Dr Dirk Hermann, Chief Operations Officer of Solidarity, said.
During October, 56 cases of alleged racism and double standards regarding the handling of racism has been reported to Solidarity which indicate that members of certain races in the SAPS are working under unbearable circumstances with no consequences for those who make false accusations, but consequences for the victims of the lies.