South Africa: Former diplomat cleared in hate speech case

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has ruled in favour of South Africa’s former Ambassador to Uganda, Jon Qwelane, in a hate-speech case.

The diplomat was found guilty of hate speech in 2017 over a newspaper column, titled Call me names, but gay is not okay. He used the platform to express his revulsion over  same-sex relationships.

He also saluted former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's "unflinching and unapologetic stance" on homosexuality

The SCA has found that Qwelane’s opinion was hurtful, but did not amount to hate speech under the current definition.

The SCA ordered Parliament to rewrite the "vague" and "overbroad" law meant to protect against discrimination.

Members of Parliament have been given 18 months to rework the provisions of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.

Qwelane has hailed the ruling, saying it was crucial for free speech in South Africa.

–0– PANA CU/AR 1Dec2019