Political parties call for harsher penalties pertaining to racism
Political parties have gathered outside the Durban Magistrates Court where a man facing charges of crimen injuria following a racist rant on Facebook is due to appear today.
Dawie Kriel caused outrage on social media last year after posting offensive comments about Hindus and fireworks during Diwali.
Members of the Hindu community, the ANC and DA who took Kriel to court - calling for swift justice in the matter.
The DA's Haniff Hoosen says they want people to take a stand against racism.
Meanwhile, the ANC - who laid criminal charges against Kriel - have yet to arrive at court.
Speaking to Newswatch ahead of this morning's trial, ANC KZN spokesperson, Mdumiseni Ntuli, said they hoped the courts would not let the people down in terms of a judgement.
He's called for harsher punishment for those who display racist behaviour.
"There must be a law enacted in our country that is going to make it a criminal offence - punishable by law - for somebody to incite any kind of hatred, particularly that which relates to racism," he said.