The SA Human Rights Commission refutes mischievous and untruthful claims by the Forum For Black Journalist Steering committee chairperson Mr Abbey Makoe that; its finding against the FBJ represents a judicial ambush; it only dawned on them that the Commission had dealt with the complaint against them through its legal procedures only on Friday, April 04^th; and was deliberately lulled into a false sense of expectation by the Commission chairperson.

Mr Makoe has conveniently omitted to share with the public that on March 4^th the Commission wrote to him to request a substantive response to the complaint against his organization and that such a response should have reached it by no later than Tuesday, March 18 as the panel discussion was not intended to be a substitute for the Commission’s normal complaint handling procedures.

When there was no response coming from him the Commission wrote him letter on March 17^th, to which he also did not reply to. Clearly, it stands to reason that Mr Makoe and his organization were indeed given sufficient opportunity to respond to the complaint against them.

The Commission further rejects assertions that it has in effect banned the FBJ and that its finding criminalized blackness. The FBJ can continue in its activities but should so within the parameters of the Equality Act which provides that the exclusion of particular people solely on the basis of race is prohibited.

In its finding the Commission maintained that should the FBJ amend the provisions of its Constitution which relates to membership, thereby opening membership to all races subject to the proviso that any person who chooses to become a member of the FBJ should subscribe to their principles and be committed to the advancement and empowerment of black journalists.

In addition the Commission rejects suggestions that it is opposed to the advancement of the disadvantaged though programmes such Black Economic Empowerment and Affirmative Action.

The Commission urges the South African public to engage with its finding.

                                                            Ends

Top of Page