Racism sentence grumbles

28 March 2017 - 09:45 By TASCHICA PILLAY
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GREAT DIVIDE: Krishna Padayachee and Narain Bhugwandas pass Dawie Kriel as he waits to be sentenced for racist remarks
GREAT DIVIDE: Krishna Padayachee and Narain Bhugwandas pass Dawie Kriel as he waits to be sentenced for racist remarks
Image: JACKIE CLAUSEN

Political and religious leaders are unhappy with the suspended sentence handed down to a Durban man for his racist comments on social media.

Bluff resident Dawie Kriel, 59, who described Hindus on social media last year as idol worshippers, was sentenced in the Durban Magistrate's Court yesterday to a fine of R6,000 or 12 months imprisonment suspended for five years.

A case of crimen injuria was brought against Kriel by the DA and ANC after his Facebook post caused outrage.

In the post he complained that fireworks were imported by the container-load, despite complaints each year about the noise they create.

Kriel attacked President Jacob Zuma for allowing the "Gupta's [sic] and company" a licence to import fireworks. He also ridiculed idol worship.

  • Angry Hindus call for courts to send message to FB racistsAngry Hindus are demanding the courts send out a strong message to South Africans that the days of making racist comments and apologising are over.

His post read: "To those idol worshippers and devil disciples who buy them in the name of religion," before making more derogatory and offensive remarks about Hindus.

He later publicly apologised. "Anger is not an excuse and I realise the foolishness of my remarks," he posted a day after his outburst on Facebook.

Magistrate Themba Sishi said Kriel's social media post was demeaning and humiliating, stereotyped the Hindu faith and contradicted constitutional values.

  • Pensioner who called Hindus 'idol worshippers' gets new legal helpThe crimen injuria case against Durban pensioner Dawie Kriel‚ who deeply offended Hindus by describing them as “idol worshipers” on Facebook‚ has been postponed.

He said community interests were important when the court considered a sentence.

"The victims of crime expressed their concerns. The rights infringed by Mr Kriel are protected by the constitution.

"Such comments have the effect of derailing efforts of nation-building and social cohesion. In the recent past such incidents have increased," said Sishi.

He said the state believed the remorse expressed by Kriel was not genuine.

"The court considered various sentencing options. He cannot pay a fine as he is unemployed. He is a first offender and imprisonment will serve no purpose in rehabilitation," said Sishi.

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