Hate crimes and speech Bill

Cabinet has approved the publishing of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, said yesterday.

Briefing reporters following Cabinet’s fortnightly meeting, Radebe said the bill will be published for public comment.

“The bill seeks to create the offences of hate crimes and hate speech, and to put in place measures to prevent and combat these offences. The aim is to address the increasing number of racial incidents and to further address other types of criminal conduct motivated by bias, prejudice or intolerance in the form of hate crimes and hate speech, which have occurred recently,” said Radebe.

This is aligned to the National Development Plan, which highlights the need for sustained campaigns against racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia.

–SAnews.gov.za.