South Africa’s Equality Court ruled Thursday that Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema’s statements at a rally on October 16, 2022, constituted hate speech, finding that they were a direct call to violence based on race and political affiliation.

The court emphasized that these statements were not metaphorical or political commentary but “clear exhortations to violence” with the intent to incite harm and hatred.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) praised the ruling, noting that freedom of expression “does not extend to advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to cause harm, particularly where persons in positions of power or influence make such statements.”

Melema’s remarks referenced a violent incident at Brackenfell High School in Cape Town

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