Monday, September 12, 2011

Mixed reactions to Shoot the Boer hate speech ruling

By Lelethu Mquqo
12 September 2011


AfriForum has expressed its satisfaction at today’s ruling that any singing of the controversial song, Shoot the Boer, amounts to hate speech.

Judge Collin Lamont made the ruling in the Equality Court today, in a civil case made by AfriForum against ANC Youth League Leader Julius Malema.

This was over Malema’s repeated singing of the song in public.

Lamont found that there can be no justification for singing the song, adding that it is both harmful and discriminatory.

AfriForum’s legal representative, Willie Spies, says the ruling is much more than just a victory for over Malema.

Meanwhile the ANC says they are appalled at the ruling.

The party said in a statement that the banning of the song was an attempt to rewrite South African history.

The party maintains that Shoot the Boer is a struggle song and is not specifically meant to incite violence against white farmers.

Spokesperson Jackson Mthembu says they will study the ruling and decide on whether to take further legal action to defend their heritage and traditions.

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