AfriForum issues hate speech charge against Lamola

AfriForum has issued a charge of hate speech against the acting President of the ANC Youth League, Ronald Lamola, in the North Gauteng High Court (sitting as Equality Court).

The charge follows in reaction to Lamola's statements last month that the ANC Youth League will no longer be able to guarantee the safety of the Van der Merwes and Van Tonders on their farms, unless white South Africans agree to transfer their land and mineral resources voluntarily to the majority of South Africans.

In addition to his role as acting President of the ANC Youth League, Lamola also is a practising lawyer in Pretoria.

Due to the serious nature of the charge against Lamola, as well as the fact that he had made these statements in various places all over South Africa, AfriForum decided to submit the charge directly to the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria (the division where Lamola practices as lawyer).

AfriForum's legal representative, Willie Spies, said that AfriForum issued the charge because the use of race as metaphor for the definition of inequalities in the community is extremely dangerous.  Lamola no longer is a commentator who speaks on behalf of poor South Africans, identifying risks.  He has now become an active instigator and champion of lawlessness and violent land-grab actions.

The charge will be served to Lamola at the beginning of this week, after which he will have the opportunity to respond.  It is expected that the Deputy Judge President of the North Gauteng High Court will then appoint a judge to handle the charge.

Statement issued by Willie Spies, Legal Representative of AfriForum, July 9 2012

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