It is with a heavy heart to consider where this bill, if enacted, will place the citizenry of this country with respect to the protection of freedom of speech (key word being FREEDOM), as outlined in Section 16 of the S.A.'n Constitution.
It is blatantly obvious that this so-called “combating and prevention” bill is nothing but spin for race-baiting.
Racism although an obvious evil trait is not inherently criminal unless acted upon.
Everybody discriminates on a daily basis. For instance, are you the reader married? Why did you choose, or rather discriminate against every other choice, and opt for that particular individual as your spouse? The examples of discrimination (on a daily basis) are endless!
There is also no getting passed the caveat in the last sentence of the section which includes “... and that constitutes incitement to cause harm...”.
Our Constitution clearly defines “Acted upon” as to constitute incitement to cause harm.
If I have an argument with an Indian (as an example) and I “communicated” an oral statement that I hated him, or that I hate Indians, or that he talks funny, or that he looks like a brick (?),,, unless I display physical intent to do violence/harm to him/her, I am, or should be, comforted by the protection that Section 16 of the Constitution provides.
Freedom of expression was not guaranteed to only heap praise, or talk about the weather … it is recognized as a natural right and should have the freedom to vex, to criticize, and yes, to even offend!
Being offended cannot and should never be considered criminal!
How is it even possible to police this as a crime? Who decides? Where is the line drawn?
This is an affront to a democratic republic, to the inalienable rights of the individual and to FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.
This is Orwellian in its double-speak and makes a mockery of the constitution!
Consider also the court –backlogs that will encompass such an enacted law, the departments and manpower needed to police this idiocy, the allocation of tax-payer cost to administer such a programme…
In closing my personal emphatic objection to this ridiculous tyrannical idea of confiscation of speech, I believe this to be another form of political correctness gone awry, can quite easily be construed as an affirmation of Nazism. and that is MUST be observed and considered from a ‘free-man/slave-man’ point of view.
Now, which side do YOU think this falls?