Freeracer out to lunch - Sunday Times article

HRC raps ‘hate speech’ writer
Suthentira Govender Published:Sep 07, 2008

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The South African Human Rights Commission has given a horse-racing writer two weeks to respond to allegations of hate speech against the head of the industry’s watchdog body.

Hanif Manjoo, who heads the Black Owners and Punters Association-Net, reported Charl Pretorius to the commission for allegedly insulting him and making derogatory statements in online publications.

The commission sent Pretorius a letter informing him that Manjoo — a former anti-apartheid activist — had lodged a complaint against him over articles that appeared in online newspapers, Sporting Post and africanbettingclan. com.

The commission’s advocate, Daniel Selalam, said Manjoo’s complaint was based on “what he perceives to be the hate-speech content of the articles and, in particular, the inflammatory tone”.

According to the commission’s letter, Pretorius referred to Manjoo as “a profound racist and a ‘struggle hero’ (read terrorist, bomb planter”, adding that “struggle heroes of your ilk have turned this country into a criminally infested hellhole that nobody wants to live in”.

He also allegedly wrote: “Blacks intensely dislike whites. Whites control racing. Blacks want to control racing. Like in every other sphere of South African society, they want to seize control by influence and drummed-up power if they don’t get it handed to them on a plate.”

The commission said in its letter to Pretorius that his comments were “hurtful, harmful to Manjoo and intended to promote hatred among the general population of South Africa”.


Manjoo told the Extra: “I don’t know Pretorius from a bar of soap, yet he said nasty things about me. He owes the whole country an apology. He’s been very crude. Coming from a person who is a senior journalist, it is shocking.”

Pretorius said most of the comments referred to in Manjoo’s complaint appeared on africanbettingclan.com.

“I sincerely apologised to Manjoo at the time of the incident and thought that the matter was laid to rest. I am surprised that this issue has now, at such a late stage, re-emerged. My attorneys will be drafting a response to the SA Human Rights Commission, as requested,” he said.

I must admit that I didnt see the original article but believe it must have been written some time ago..anyone know exactly how long ago??..the timing of this complaint is interesting to say the least.

One question for Manjoo. Why do you have a Black Owners and Punters Association? Is that only for Black people and is that not a form of discrimination? Dont get me wrong cause I detest any form of discrimination and racisim. I doubt if Charl Pretorius is of such importance that he can persuade an entire country to hate.

Mori, before you go on, you must understand how these thing work.

Firstly, only Black associations can exist, because they are not racist as has been established by the Black Journalists' association. Also already established, is that a similar white association is racist. This is because of inequalities and to assist previously disadvantaged people.

Secondly, these organisations do not exclude other race groups from joining, so they are not racist (although journalists were asked to leave when they were not black) so as to assist black journalists to get ahead (I think) like a reverse handicap. So I understand that a white person can join the Black Owners & Punters Assoc. to promote said cause. You understand?

Thirdly, I read that Chinese people are also black, along with 'Coloureds' and 'Indians'. I think it's mainly whites who are not black.

Although I'm playing a bit here, the answer is that it's not discrimination because it's trying to readdress previous discrimination and how else do you do that without 'discriminating'. One always has to take these organisations on faith and hope they are trying to bring up the rear rather than sneak ahead.

Off the topic but in the same vain, I found Shapiros cartoon to be a bit over the top. (Sunday Times)

The cartoon dipicts the ANC and its alliance partners holding down the Judiciary (female) whilst the showerheaded Zuma undoes his pants.

Things like this open old wounds and cunjures up hatred from all sides. (A white male depicting a black national hero, to a vast majority, in this way.)

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Since the matter is still sub judice/unresolved, I am responding directly to you.

1.
When we started out about 10 years ago, it was to protect/promote the interests of blacks specifically, as part of the corporatisation process and promises; whatever was promised to bring them in as participants went up in the air (vide, the grooms fund saga, 10-15% for punters & grooms, etc); therefore, Black Owners & Punters Assoc was the acronym for BOPA.

However, subsequently, the name Bopa-Net (bopa meaning in isi-Zulu to bring together, catch, unite, etc) has been adopted.

2.
The timing is neither orchestrated nor insidious in any way; that can be confirmed with the HRC. A year or so back is not that long for due judicial processes.

Hope that answers your concerns.

Am also looking forward to working closely with clan members (and anyone else) who wishes to see promote the industry transparently and pro-actively, without sarcasm, cynicism and hidden agendas.

Regards and thanks,

Hanif Manjoo

Charl Pretorius 'inherently racist ' but he will be the first to deny.
No wonder he was sent to the backburners at MDK. Not good for PR

Shikar, Charl is still very active with MDK and in fact is representing the maestro at the Newmarket UK/SA Trade mission later this month, I believe.

If Charl is guilty, I am sure he will take his punishment on the nose(didn't he already say sorry?) so let's not judge before the legal process has walked it's course but if somebody can explain the apparent fine line between freedom of speech and opinion and why guys Zapiro (Alcoponee's example) get away with absolute murder. What about this "Ons Vir Jou'' show starting in Pretoria soon?

Any clan members see the Sunday Tribune pic and article showing Tony Yengeni on parole , parked at Cafe Caprice in Camp's Bay, glass of bubbly in hand, with his R1 million jammy parked in the paraplegic parking a few meters from him? Hypocrisy - a way of life in SA.And the law only applies to certain sectors it seems.

Shikar... just to set the record straight, I was NEVER fired by Mike de Kock, I still do lots of work for him. Our brief split-up in 2006 resulted from a partnership disagreement which was resolved.