Complaint of racism lodged against the national director of public prosecutions

The South African Institute of Race Relations has sent a complaint to the Human Rights

Commission about comments made in the Sunday Times by the national director of public prosecutions, Advocate Menzi Simelane (see report). Talking about crimes with a racist motive or element Advocate Simelane is quoted in the Sunday Times of 4 September 2011 as saying:

"It is also a fact that in all, if not most, of these crimes black people are the victims. It is also a fact that the perpetrators are mostly white men. Our courts are full of people like these."

The Institute is of the view that these comments are racist, could incite racial hatred, and unfairly discriminate against whites. The Institute has asked the Commission to investigate the comments and secure appropriate redress.

Statement issued by Frans Cronje, Deputy CEO of the South African Institute of Race Relations, September 6 2011

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