Social media racism: SAHRC explores resolutions
The SA Human Rights Commission says their two-day hearings on racism on social media in Johannesburg are looking at how to better deal with the upsurge of racism on online platforms.
The commission has mostly dealt with complaints related to discrimination of race and sex in recent months.
The SAHRC's Gurshwell Brookes says individual cases will not be analysed.
"The National Investigative Hearing on racism on social media is an inquisitorial hearing and is not an adversarial hearing. In other words, there are no allegations being investigated against an entity or person. The aim of the investigation is to look at how to better deal with the upsurge of racism being expressed via social media," he said.
There have been a number of offensive posts on various online platforms that have caused outrage among South Africans.
KZN estate agent Penny Sparrow who made headlines last year when she referred to beachgoers as monkeys, was fined R150 000 for crimen injuria.
Durban estate agent - Vicki Momberg was filmed in a racist verbal attack after she had fallen victim to a smash and grab incident in Johannesburg. The Commission took her to the Equality Court for hate speech.
Bluff resident, Dawie Kriel also caused a stir after posting offensive posts on Facebook during Diwali.
While most recently, social media users put under a microscope a meme shared by Riaan Lucas who mocked the death of former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen. That post depicted actor, Toby Maguire grinning with the caption "Me when I hear a white man has died."
Trade union Solidarity, has since lodged a complaint with the SAHRC.