The South African Human Rights Commission statement on recent incidences of alleged racism
31 July 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) has noted with serious concern allegations of racism in Gauteng and the Western Cape. It is disturbing that these incidences continue to occur 30 years into democracy. It is more distressing to see that three of these incidents are alleged to have taken place in schools.
In Gauteng, 12 Pretoria Girls High learners have been suspended for alleged racial utterances, micro-aggressions and complaints about black pupils which were shared through a WhatsApp group consisting of only white pupils. The second incident in Gauteng involve allegations that councillor Obakeng Ramabodu uttered statements that allegedly amount to hate speech.
In the Western Cape, an incident occurred at Pinelands High School with a video posted on social media that seems to show Black learners placed in a cage and "sold on auction". In another incident in the Western Cape, it is reported that at a teacher at Table View High School allegedly uttered the K-word during a grade 12 history lesson.
The Commission has closely monitored these incidences and developments with the view to intervening in line with the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013 (SAHRC Act), the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (PEPUDA or the Equality Act, Act No. 4 of 2000) and Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act, 16 of 2023.
Gauteng: Pretoria Girls High: The Commission is allowing the investigative process to be undertaken by the Gauteng Department of Education and will monitor the process and the outcome with the view to making an intervention.
Councillor Obakeng Ramabodu: The Commission is urgently assessing the matter in line with its Complaints Handling Procedure.
Western Cape: Pinelands High School and Table View High School incidences: The Commission has opened own accord investigations and has already started with the investigations.
The Commission has noted concerns raised by members of the public and human rights defenders over issues of racism and the need to address them proactively and holistically. The Commission would like to inform the public that in April this year it established the National Question and Anti-Racism expert Advisory Committee made up of researchers, community activists, diversity experts, youth leaders and faith-based leaders to regularly advise the Commission on systemic anti-racist measures and policies that could be adopted to counter institutionalised and structural racism and discriminatory attitudes towards forging a humane society where everyone feels a sense of belongingness.
The Commission’s Social Harmony National Effort (SHiNE) initiatives continue to hold dialogues in various communities to assist with addressing the high level of disharmony in the country and to forge a common national vision as envisaged in the preamble of the country’s Constitution.
The Commission would like to encourage members of the public experiencing racism to lodge complaints. Complaint forms can be accessed here https://www.sahrc.org.za/index.php/lodge-complaints
Finally, the Commission would like to advise members of the public that Equality Courts are freely accessible. Individuals and groups can approach Equality Courts and lodge complaints free of charge and without the assistance of a lawyer. Equality courts are specialised courts designated to hear matters relating to unfair discrimination, hate speech and harassment. All Magistrate Courts are designated as Equality
Courts.
Issued by SAHRC, 31 July 2024
