THE SENTENCING OF "THE REITZ FOUR" BY THE BLOEMFONTEIN REGIONAL COURT

The South African Human Rights Commission notes the decision of the Bloemfontein Regional Court to sentence the four former University of Free State students known as the "Reitz four" to a fine of R20 000 each or face 12 months imprisonment. Alternatively, they could face six months direct imprisonment if they found guilty of a similar offence or any offence by the Equality Court.

The Commission however welcomes the guilty plea and verdict arrived at by the court and also welcomes the fact that the accused have acknowledged and apologised for the wrongfulness of their actions.

Meanwhile, the Commission wishes to point out that the criminal trial and the subsequent conviction and sentence have no bearing on the Equality Court proceedings that have been instituted by the Commission on behalf of the complainants in the Bloemfontein High Court against the four former students, which proceedings have already commenced.

While the state was obliged to prosecute the four accused, such action did not prevent the complainants, assisted by the Commission, from seeking civil redress and appropriate relief in the Equality Court as provided for in terms of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000.

The decision and sentencing of the criminal court will not affect the proceeding in the Equality Court. The Commission can confirm that its legal team is already exchanging correspondences with the respondents regarding the Equality Court matter and the process is running well.

Statement issued by Vincent Moaga, Human Rights Commission, July 30 2010

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