The Love Not Hate campaign is shocked by media reports that the hate speech case against Jon Qwelane has been postponed due to his ill health. According to his legal representatives, the former journalist may never be able to attend the trial.
The case has now dragged on for eight years, with Qwelane refusing to accept his 2011 hate speech conviction for writing a homophobic article and subsequently challenging the constitutionality of the Equality Act.
“This is extremely disappointing. Almost a decade later we have been unable to bring Qwelane to account for his homophobic hate speech,” commented Lerato Phalakatshela, Hate Crime Manager at OUT LGBT Well-being and spokesperson for the Love Not Hate campaign.
“While Qwelane may very well be ill, this case is about more than his article. It is about ensuring that the Equality Act is upheld. Although freedom of speech is a vital component of our democracy, there should be consequences for those who seek to dehumanise and degrade a minority that faces the daily potential of violent and deadly attacks.
“The legal system has let us down for eight years. We hope that there is still some way to bring this matter to a conclusion that affirms the dignity and rights of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex) people,” Phalakatshela said.
He added: “Let’s not forget that delays and postponements are a hallmark of many LGBTI hate crime cases, including those that involve rape and often deadly violence. We urge the government to speed up the enactment of the pending Hate Crimes Bill so as to legally define these acts and to improve access to justice for our community.”