AfriForum appeal Equality Court’s finding on ‘Kill the Boer’

The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein will hear an appeal by AfriForum’s on Monday against the Equality Court’s finding that the ‘Kill the Boer’ chant is not hate speech. 

AFRIFORUM BACK IN COURT TO APPEAL THE EQUALITY COURT’S FINDING

Civil rights organisation AfriForum challenged the Equality Court’s outcome after it lost its court bid, which acquitted EFF leader Julius Malema of hate speech for singing the struggle song.

Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, said it’s stance that the song is a clear-cut example of hate speech and endangers South African farmers.

This comes after a couple from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal were attacked on their farm on 17 August. 

COUPLE WAS ATTACKED ON A FARM IN KWAZULU-NATAL

“They were seriously assaulted while their attackers shouted, “Kill the Boer, kill the farmer”. 

“The woman was stabbed with a spear, but the couple luckily survived the attack. Thanks to the quick response of the local farming community and civilian security structures, six suspects, including those in the getaway vehicle, were apprehended. This recent brutal attack proves the seriousness of AfriForum’s fight in court against “Kill the Boer”.”

ALSO READ: Attackers chant ‘Kill the boer, kill the farmer’ in BRUTAL farm attack

THE ATTACKERS SHOUTED: ‘KILL THE BOER, KILL THE FARMER’ WHILE ASSAULTING THE COUPLE

He furthermore said this week’s court case forms part of AfriForum’s three-pronged strategy to oppose Malema’s extremist, hateful and dangerous rhetoric, namely, through legal actions, the mobilization and expansion of community safety structures and the promotion of mutual recognition and respect between cultural communities.

“It’s troubling that there are still people out there making excuses for the hateful ‘Kill the Boer’ chant. It is evident, however, that public opinion has started to shift drastically against thugs like the EFF and their encouragement of lawlessness, hatred, and violence. It’s encouraging to see every decent South African standing with AfriForum in this fight,”Kriel said. 

ALSO READ: Farm attacks in SA surge after EFF sings ‘Kill the Boer’ song

MALEMA SANG THE SONG DURING THE EFF’S ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Malema sang the song during the party’s 10th anniversary celebrations at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 29 July 2023. 

ALSO READ: Woman recounts TERRIFYING experience in BRUTAL farm attack

Malema said he was not going to explain himself as the Equality Court acquitted him of hate speech last year. He said the song was a chant, as he had explained in court.

“The court said there is nothing wrong with singing ‘Kill the Boer, Kill the farmer’. When do we respect the judgment of the court and when do we disrespect the judgment of the court? When [the court] favours Helen Zille, we must respect them. When they don’t favour Helen Zille, we must not respect them. Those who have appealed it, they must go fight it in court.”Malema

ALSO READ: Here is what EFF Julius Malema said during the celebrations

HERE IS IS A LIST OF ALL THE FARM ATTACKS SINCE HE SANG THE SONG

Let’s look at the reported farm murders and attacks since Malema sang the song in July: 

• 30 August 2023 – Well-known civil engineer, Thys van Niekerk, was found with his throat slit in a brutal farm murder near Cradock. 
• 29 August 2023 – Elderly couple attacked outside Bloemfontein – man was stabbed to death, woman injured.
• 23 August 2023 – Two elderly women survived a HORRIFIC farm attack near Caledon. 
• 23 August 2023– Janet Prinsloo (53) recounts her TERRIFYING experience during a BRUTAL farm attack on her farm just outside Vaalwater in Limpopo.
• 17 August 2023 – Four attackers chanted “Kill the Boer, kill the Farmer” in a BRUTAL farm attack in KwaZulu-Natal. A couple from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal were severely assaulted on their farm while their attackers shouted, “Kill the Boer, kill the Farmer.” Four attackers forced their way into the farmhouse of Tim Platt and his wife, Amanda. 
• 3 August 2023, on Randridge’s small holdings, a couple and their two young children, aged eight and ten, were attacked. An AK-47 assault rifle was reportedly used in the attack. The man was shot dead, and his wife was seriously wounded in the back.
• 2 August 2023 – Dr. Carel Nel was murdered in his home on his farm in Biesiesvlei, North West. 
• 30 July 2023– An elderly father, Theo and Marlinda Bekker (79), was brutally murdered in a farm attack in Mpumalanga. Theo’s throat was slit while Marlinda was beaten.
• 28 July 2023, on Curuland Farm in the Motouleng area, near Clarens in the Free State province of South Africa. The farmer, Mr. Viljoen, was overpowered and assaulted by two attackers. During the attack, Mr. Viljoen suffered serious injuries and was hospitalised.

ALSO READ: Two elderly women survive HORRIFIC farm attack near Caledon