Cape Town – A man who celebrated the death of ex-Springbok Joost van der Westhuizen on Facebook has been reported to the SA Human Rights Commission.
Trade union Solidarity says it has lodged a complaint with the SAHRC against Riaan Lucas for posting a meme celebrating Joost’s death, with the caption: “Joost is vrek(Joost is dead).”
It’s also been established that the post was reported to Facebook and the social media site blocked Lucas’ page.
Solidarity says it lodged the complaint of crimen injuria because what applies to Penny Sparrow, needs to apply to any other South African regardless of race.
Sparrow, a Durban estate agent, was charged in court after describing beach-goers as monkeys on Facebook on New Year’s Day in 2016.
According to Solidarity, Lucas’ Facebook profile was closed by concerned South Africans.
“Everyone reported it and collected the evidence,” the union said in a statement.
Communications manager Juran van den Heever said the “racist” post offended and shocked people.
“This racist commentary should get the same attention as any other comments made in the past that the Human Rights Commission acted against.”
The SAHRC says it is in the process of considering whether the meme is eligible for investigation.
According to his profile, Lucas is originally from Cape Town, but now lives in Joburg.
Facebook users have also revealed it’s not the first time he’s posted offensive comments about white people.
On January 11, he wrote: “F*** white people today.”
And in a post last week Wednesday, he said: “Why is the traffic acting up approaching Sandton. Was their an accident earlier? Did someone die? Please tell me its white people?” (sic)