BLACK SOUTH AFRICANS VINDICATED BY PENNY SPARROW JUDGMENT 

10 June 2016

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes the sanction of retired estate agent Penny Sparrow by the Umzinto Equality Court in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Sparrow has been found guilty of hate speech- following disparaging remarks made against black South Africans on a Facebook post earlier this year.

The ANC laid a charge of hate speech against Sparrow in January after she compared black beachgoers to monkeys in a widely circulated social media post.

The court has ordered Sparrow to pay a fine of R 150 000: she has been interdicted from further hate speech.

Whilst the ANC remains satisfied with the judgment and the sanction: this should not be a time for gloating. 

Many people laid down their lives so we could realize a free, non-racial, non-sexist South Africa, and those who threaten our fragile national unity with both naked and subtle racism have no place in South Africa.

The decision is a victory for our country's courts and Chapter Nine institutions which continue to give effect to the values of our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The magistrate in this case noted in his judgment that the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has seen an increase in reported incidents of open racism and hate speech.

It is unfortunate that 22 years into democracy, racists are emboldened to vent their views on public platforms.

This judgment serves as a reminder that such behavior will not be tolerated- and that our courts will steadfastly uphold the rights of all victims of racism, especially those who are voiceless and unable to defend themselves.

Statement issued by Khusela Sangoni, African National Congress, 10 June 2016