Justice Dept considering new laws against racism

12 May 2016

Cape Town – Government is considering drafting new laws to prevent racism and hate speech, acting Minister in the Presidency Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Thursday.

This followed outrage over comments by High Court Judge Mabel Jansen that rape was part of black culture.

Jansen told News24 her comments referred specifically to the many cases that had crossed her desk and were made in the course of seeking help for rape victims.

''The pronouncements by an esteemed member of the judiciary were unfortunate and not in keeping with what our society expects from members of the judiciary,'' Mapisa-Nqakula said during a briefing following Cabinet’s regular fortnightly meeting.

Jansen had been placed on special leave while the Judicial Service Commission handled the complaints against her.

Mapisa-Nqakula said Cabinet condemned the blatant racism some individuals in the country displayed, particularly on social media.

''It did express its disgust and laments the upsurge of racism in the country,'' she said.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.