Racism complaints by blacks are on the rise, with Gauteng the worst
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Most of the complaints received by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) over the past year were race-related.
According to a trends analysis report launched by the commission in Johannesburg on Monday, most complaints it received during the 2016/2017 financial year were related to:
- equality;
- health care, food, water and sanitation;
- social security, and arrested, detained and accused persons;
- labour relations; and
- just administrative action.
Speaking about equality-related rights violations, the commission's Alexandra Fitzgerald said the majority of complaints were related to allegations of racial discrimination against black South Africans.
"Race-based discrimination presents the greatest challenge to the work of the commission," said Fitzgerald.
The SAHRC said most race-based complaints it litigated included the use of the k-word as well as other derogatory terms such as "baboon" and "monkey".
"The commission is happy with the high-profile complaints it has managed to resolve because we think that the high-profile nature of those complaints sends a strong message that racism is a serious violation of the rights to equality and dignity, and is unacceptable within our constitutional democracy," said Fitzgerald.
The SAHRC said it had seen an increase in inequality complaints related to disability. The report also noted that the number of complaints related to economic and social rights - which include health care, food, water and social security - increased in the 2016/2017 financial year.
"We are not surprised to see this increase, given the endemic poverty. We still see inadequate access to basic services," said Fitzgerald.