The SAHRC is making this application to the Equality Court after receiving complaints about statements made by Mr Liebenberg on several WhatsApp voice memos, which include repeated use of the K-word, reference to black people as monkeys, as well as nostalgia for apartheid and discrimination . . The SAHRC is asking the court to declare the statements made by Mr Liebenberg as hate speech under section 10 (1) of the Promotion of Equality, Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000.

The SAHRC claims in its filings that Mr Liebenberg’s statements constitute hate speech, unfair discrimination and the dissemination of unfair discrimination. The SAHRC is also requesting that the court order Mr. Liebenberg, among other things, to apologize unconditionally and not to repeat the hate speech on any social media and/or public platforms.

Statement issued by Wisani Baloyi, SAHRC Communications Coordinator, 15 November 2024