Controversial columnist Jon Qwelane, whose reported appointment as ambassador to Uganda has been criticised because of his anti-gay stance, is being sued for R100,000 by the Human Rights Commission.

The commission claims that Qwelane and his former employer, Media 24, must pay the 777 Campaign Against Hate Crimes the money in reparation for the "pain and suffering" caused by a 2008 column in which Qwelane criticised homosexuality.

The claim was lodged at the Johannesburg Equality Court last month but The Times has learned that Media 24 was served with the summons on Monday. Qwelane has not received the papers because he could not be traced.

The Human Rights Commission became involved when it received a complaint from a member of the public relating to Qwelane's column and to a cartoon published alongside it. The column was headlined "Call me names, but gay is not ok".

More than 300 other complaints were received by the commission relating to Qwelane's column.