The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) has laid a complaint with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) against Cosatu's Bongani Masuku for hate speech.
This follows numerous inflammatory, threatening and insulting statements made by the Congress of SA Trade Unions international relations secretary against the Jewish community, the board said in a statement.
"On frequent occasions, both in public forums and in writing, Masuku has used overtly threatening language in reference to the mainstream Jewish community because of its support for the state of Israel.
"Specifically, he has openly stated that Cosatu will target Jewish supporters of Israel and 'make their lives hell'," the board said.
SAJBD national chairman Zev Krengel said various statements by Masuku constituted serious breaches of the prohibition on hate speech as contained in the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
"The SAJBD firmly supports the right to freedom of expression, but not to the point when it infringes on the fundamental right of others to equality and human dignity as enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
"Calling for the expulsion of and inciting harm against one's fellow citizens because of their political views crosses the line between legitimate comment and prohibited hate speech, and this is what Mr Masuku has been guilty of," he said.
Masuku's various statements could reasonably be construed as an intention on his part to cause harm against South African Jews.
It could also reasonably be said to demonstrate a clear intention to promote or propagate hatred against the Jewish community, Krengel said. - Sapa