Durban man's anti-Jewish messages declared hate speech
The Equality Court in Durban has interdicted a man from sending out anti-Semitic e-mails which label Jewish people as terrorists‚ rapists and murders. This following a complaint laid against Snowy Smith by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) in April 2013 over a string of e-mails sent out to various members of the public over a period of three years.Smith's claims in these e-mails included: “The ENEMY is-Zionist [sic] JEW … The Zionist Jew NWO [New World Order] wants to be dictators over the Gentiles (The White People). The Zionist Jew NWO are the dictators of the world.”“There is only One group of TERRORISTS in the world today and they are the Zionist Chabad Freemasons‚ ILLuminati JEWS and the Billionaire Wall Street Bankers.” “The Zionist JEW NEW orchestrated and systematically planned the downfall of every White Owned [sic]‚ White Run [sic] Country in Africa‚ including South Africa using communism.”Outgoing national chairperson of the SAJBD Mary Kluk stated in her evidence in court that “the e-mails clearly label hatred against the Jewish community‚ which is extremely hurtful and degrading”.But Smith defended his claims‚ saying that his information was obtained from the internet which meant that it must be true. He went on to say that his e-mails cannot contain hate speech as he sourced 90% of the information from Jewish websites.He also said that the public had a right to the information that “Jews must be prevented from taking over the world”.Magistrate Aletta Moolman found that “the e-mails distributed by Snowy Smith impinge adversely on the dignity of the Jewish people and constitute hate speech against people of the Jewish faith or belief and ethnic origin”.She said that Smith's freedom of expression cannot prevail against hate speech targeting‚ in this case‚ Jewish people.Smith is restrained from sending out any further hate speech and must apologise for his comments by the end of the month.The SAJBD said that it applauds the court's decision.Smith could not be reached for comment.- TMG Digital/TMG Courts and Law..
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.