SAHRC takes Mr Ronald Gouws to the Equality Court for alleged hate speech and racist utterances
20 June 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC/ Commission) will today institute proceedings at the Equality Court in Gqeberha against Mr Renaldo Gouws, a Member of Parliament, for the alleged racial utterances relating to online media posts.
In the video, Mr Gouws allegedly calls for the killing of Black people using extremely offensive and derogatory language. This explicit content, initially published on his YouTube channel in March 2010, was archived despite being deleted and has resurfaced, revealing behaviour that is incompatible with the principles of dignity and equality enshrined in South African law.
On the footage, Mr Gouws allegedly made the following statement:
“There’s a couple of things I want to say ok kill all the f#$%ng K@#$%rs, kill all the f#$%@ng N#@#$%ers, that’s all that I've got to f@#$%ng say. Kill all the f#$%#ng n#@#$$%rs.”
[Warning 🚨 Strong Language] Here is the FULL recording by Mr Renaldo Gouws, who is heard saying "Kill All Ka-ffi-rs." pic.twitter.com/R967v9rkFP
— Sthamber (@Sthamber) June 20, 2024
Subsequently, the Commission was tagged by aggrieved citizens on social media seeking that it intervenes in this matter. Following assessment of the content, the Commission has concluded that utterances allegedly made by Mr Gouws constitute hate speech and/or harassment as contemplated in terms of sections 10 and 11 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000 (PEPUDA or Equality Act).
The Commission is empowered in terms of section 13(3)(b) of the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013 (SAHRC Act), to bring proceedings in a competent court or tribunal in its own name or on behalf of a person or a group or class of persons.
Given Mr Gouw’s position as a Member of Parliament, his alleged actions carry even greater weight and responsibility, as he is expected to uphold and embody the principles enshrined in the Constitution, including human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.
Issued by Wisani Baloyi on behalf of South African Human Rights Commission, 20 June 2024
