Human Rights Commission worried about Kunene’s utterances

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The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has raised concerns over what it termed false and dangerous utterances by Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene.

This comes after an interview in which the commission claims he said they issued a media statement to the effect that it will take steps against individuals that were seen to be abusing Chidimma Adetshina. 

On Wednesday, the department of home affairs confirmed that it has uncovered evidence of fraud in its ongoing investigation into the citizenship of Miss SA contestant, Chidimma.

The Patriotic Alliance instituted urgent legal action on Thursday morning to interdict her from participating in the upcoming Miss South Africa contest.

MEDIA STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/heOl1FjUTj

— Kenny Kunene (@Kenny_T_Kunene) August 8, 2024

Subsequently, the model announced her withdrawal from the competition citing safety and wellbeing of her family and herself.

“With the support of the Miss South Africa organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience,” she said.

In a statement released, SAHRC said it is disappointing that a senior leader of a political party that is part of the Government of National Unity participated in an interview without factual information.

“The Commission would like to put on record that it did not issue any media statement on this matter and was invited to participate in few interviews to clarity human rights issues surrounding this matter.

“In all those interviews, the Commission made three general points: firstly, the Commission neither has a view on whether the candidate in question qualifies to participate in this competition organised by a non-state institution nor can it comment on their citizenship status, a domain of the Department of Home Affairs.

“Second, robust public discourse should always be encouraged and protected in line with the prescripts of the Constitution and the law.

“Third, members of the public are reminded that public discourse and enquiries should not veer into the realm of hate speech, xenophobia, incitement of violence, and cyberbullying,” the statement read.

The Commission cautioned against the posting of messages that are false, reminded people of Social Media Charter and the consequences of creating and broadcasting false information in terms of the law.

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It also highlighted that public discourse is allowed, and robust public debates are protected in terms of Freedom of Expression.

The Commission further said members of the public are within their rights to robustly debate any matter.

SAHRC stated that it will be reporting these statements to the Speaker of the City of Johannesburg and will take further action.