UP’s call to act against those propagating hate speech via social media is nothing more than a publicity stunt, says Sanco.
|||Pretoria - The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) says the University of Pretoria’s call to act against those propagating hate speech via social media is nothing more than a publicity stunt.
National spokesman Jabu Mahlangu said there had been a lot of racial flare-ups at the university and Tuks had done nothing to curb or reprimand those responsible.
Mahlangu said despite it being crucial for Tuks to take a decisive stance on refusing to tolerate racism, the university was simply blowing hot air. “If they were serious about doing something about the racial outbursts it would have been done already. They have the capacity and the ability to really do something but we are yet to see that,” he said.
“The rightwing AfriForum has unashamedly claimed the university as a bastion of racism by consistently opposing the shaping of a multilingual language policy.”
Sanco last week also laid a complaint with the SA Human Right Commission (SAHRC) to probe hate speech on the AfriForum Jeug/Youth Facebook page.
UP spokeswoman Anna-Retha Bouwer said the university was not going to conduct a witch-hunt but would be monitoring the situation.
Bouwer said the call is not a warning but a reminder to students that propagating hate speech or adding fuel to the fire would be dealt with.
“We saw a lot of inappropriate statements made during the protest and all we are asking is that people come forward with evidence.
“This is not something new. It is the law and part of the university’s policy. Hate speech will not be tolerated in any form. There are investigations under way and ... disciplinary hearings will be held.
“University policy states students have the right to freedom of expression, but these rights do not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence nor advocacy of hatred based on race, gender or religion.”
Pretoria News