The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has dragged Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Renaldo Gouws to the Equality Court on Thursday.
The commission was responding to racist remarks that Gouws uttered as he recorded himself and had the videos circulated on social media platforms.
Wisani Baloyi, spokesperson for the commission, said Gouws’ comments stirred chaos and aggrieved South African citizens.
Video constitutes hate speech and harassment
The SAHRC considered the contents of the video to constitute hate speech and harassment. This was after they launched an assessment of the video following public outrage.
The commission also found that the video in question was initially posted on Gouws’ YouTube channel in March 2010.
The video, according to Baloyi, has returned to expose Gouws’ ill behaviour. This behaviour was not compliant with the principles of dignity and equality in South African law.
He said it was within the commission’s power to take the matter up with the courts, confirming that the matter would be in Gqeberha.
“Given Mr Gouws’ position as member of parliament, his alleged actions carry even greater weight and responsibility. This as he is expected to uphold and embody the principles enshrined in the Constitution. They include human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination,” said Baloyi.
DA suspended Gouws after investigation
The DA also suspended Gouws after the party conducted an investigation into the viral videos.
The party found that the videos were not fake, but the party expressed no shock, claiming that this was expected.
This week, the EFF said they would send a complaint letter to the Speaker of Parliament over Gouws’ racist social media rant.
This was an effort to hold the member of parliament and his party accountable for utterances. In this case the utterances were described as racist and homophobic.
The EFF said that Gouws has also been at loggerheads with sports socialite Mama Joy. This after he allegedly called her a prostitute.
“Even for someone not familiar with South African politics, it would be immediately clear that Gouws holds a highly disdainful view of African people.”
