Open a case: victim of K-word told
THE South African Human Right Commission (SAHRC) has urged the black woman who was called a k **** r by a white woman during an altercation following a bumper bash in Gauteng to open a case.
This comes after the white woman was caught on camera swearing at the woman, calling her a stupid b***h, a bastard, slapping her and referring to her as a k **** r as she walked away.
It was not yet known yesterday when and where the incident happened, but it is believed to be somewhere in Gauteng.
In the video, the black woman – who is recording the incident after a car crash – shows the two damaged vehicles then turns the camera to the white woman who is also using her cellphone.
The white woman then asks the black woman if she has a “f ***** g licence”, swears at her, slaps her, then continues swearing her as she walks away calling her a “bastard b***h k **** r”.
Gauteng police spokesperon Colonel Kay Makhubele said they were not aware of the video or if a case had been opened.
However, SAHRC spokesperson Buang Jones said they were aware of the video but could not confirm if a complaint had been laid.
“We are more than willing to offer legal assistance and it’s up to her to say yes or no. As the SAHRC, we have presence in all Equality Courts and we can offer assistance regarding discrimination and hate speech,” said Jones.
He said in the past five years, there has been an increase in racial discrimination cases despite all their effort to amplify awareness regarding the issue.
He said they have taken a number of cases to the Equality Court such as Adam Catzavelos and Angelo Agrizzi matters and they had wanted to use those cases as a deterrent and also educate society about the need to live in a cohesive society.
“People keep using this (K) word, and it’s mainly informed by our past. There is historical context; the word was used to denigrate and demean black South Africans. It is the most hurtful utterance so, it’s something that baffles me as to why people still make such repugnant pronouncements.
“It’s disparaging, derogatory, contemptuous and causes humiliation to black South Africans. It was meant to visit the worst kind of verbal abuse ever on another person,” he said.
He said a lot of education to achieve social cohesion was still needed in the country. He also said the Equality Court was underutilised.
“This incident bears testimony to the fact that there are many bridges that still need to be crossed in our journey from crude racism to a new order, where social cohesion in equality and effortless observance of right to dignity is a practical reality in SA.
“It also suggests that there has been very little attitudinal or mindset change since the dawn of our democracy, it calls upon us as the human rights commission and all society to work together because we all have a shared responsibility to find ways to end racial hatred and its manifestations.
“We hope that through various media platforms and through the continued usage of these courts by the SAHRC, more and more people will come forward and use these courts.”