lodge complaint button
commissioners button
programmes button
provinces button
publications button
calendar button
fraud hotline button

Human Rights Commission to investiage Zuma’s son Edward over hate speech

28 July 2017

The South African Human Rights Commission says it is looking into a controversial letter from President Jacob Zuma's son Edward to former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom. The open letter was published by Zuma earlier this year. In it, he accused Gordhan of being a white stooge. He also took a swipe at Hanekom.

“By being the extension of whites and a white monopoly capital stooge, Gordhan shows us his inferiority complex to whites, but superior complex to natives, that whites according to him and his inner world – deserve to be accorded a perpetual status as masters, and an African native is unimaginative to be of higher status than any race in this country,” wrote Zuma.

He also accused Gordhan of protecting white monopoly capital.
READ MORE: Edward Zuma has a go at Gordhan

“This privileged boy from Sastri College shows us that he would defend whites and their appointed crumb-eaters, the White Monopoly Capital Indunas, the black parasitical political stooges at all costs,” He wrote.

In a statement, the South African Human Rights Commission said it had been made aware of the letter and were looking into it.

“The commission finds the contents of this letter, in particular statements that promote hatred on the basis of race, offensive and disturbing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression as articulated in section 16 of the Constitution,” says the SAHRC.

In an interview with ANN7 in February, Zuma defended his actions.

“People tend to insult others and always hide behind the Constitution and freedom of expression, forgetting that the Constitution also stipulates that every right has its limits and comes with responsibilities… I find that very awkward and selective of them,” he said.

Additional reporting: ANN7

Source: Destiny Connect

About us

Understanding PAIA

The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.

Sentinel House, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa

011 877 3600 (Switchboard)