Complaints of discrimination prepared against President Zuma

5 April 2016

The civil rights organisation AfriForum announced that it is busy preparing complaints of discrimination against President Jacob Zuma after remarks made by the President this past weekend at the Melmoth sports grounds. These complaints will be submitted to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) as well as the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities.

According to media reports, the President said the following: “Black people must stand together and vote for another black person… otherwise this country will be taken away from you in front of your eyes, or they will use others to take it away from you.”

Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, said that remarks such as these must be regarded in a very serious light and that the necessary steps will be taken, regardless of the fact that it was uttered by the State President. “The narrative in this country has reached the point where racist commentary against white people are made all the time on public platforms, without the necessary consequences. AfriForum regards it as its duty, as an organisation which campaigns for the rights of minorities, to take a strong stance regarding this matter.”

The complaints will soon be submitted to both commissions.     

Issued by Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, 5 April 2016