Kimberley - Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas was found guilty of hate speech and unfair discrimination in the Upington Equality Court on Tuesday.
Khoisan leader Stanley Peterson lodged a complaint of hate speech on behalf of the Khoi and San communities with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against Lucas following a racial slur on a live radio broadcast in 2010.
Lucas, who was the MEC of Environmental Affairs, made reference to “ons h*n*tte dink mos net aan kos en klere” (we only think of food and clothes) during a speech that was broadcast live on radio.
The court, in its judgment on Tuesday, ordered Lucas to make a public apology in three Northern Cape newspapers – the DFA, Volksblad and Gemsbok – as well as on air at Radio Kaboesna, Radio Nakwa and Radio Riverside.
She has also been ordered to pay the legal fees of Peterson’s lawyer even though he used the services of a legal aid lawyer.
Peterson said that he is relieved that the case, which has been dragging on for the past five years, has come to an end.
“I am glad that this has finally come to an end after all the sleepless nights and fights I had over this case. This is a great victory for the marginalised Khoisan people in South Africa. This victory is an indication that a minority group is able to take on any person, no matter their position.
“This also shows that anyone has the ability to stand up for him or herself and not keep quiet when they are insulted racially.”
Peterson said he was pleased with the verdict.
“I knocked on a lot of doors and no one wanted to assist me as this was a high-profile case. I am also glad that the court ordered the premier to pay the legal fees of my representative, even though I made use of a legal aid lawyer.
“My lawyer was the only person who wanted to take on a case of this magnitude. The premier had ample time to settle this matter outside court, but disregarded all previous opportunities. This case shows us, as the Khoisan people, that we can still have faith in the courts,” he said.
“I hope the president and the organisation (ANC) will also express their disappointment with regards to the statement she made. No one has the right to make racial comments about people or groups,” Peterson said.
He previously said that he was willing to settle the matter outside court as long as Lucas apologised to the Khoi and San communities, including the radio station on which she made the racial slur.
The Office of the Premier on Tuesday said they would officially comment on the matter at a later stage.
“We are aware of the judgment but first want to look at it before we comment,” the premier’s spokeswoman, Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, said.
Diamond Fields Advertiser