Papers opposing former Sunday Sun columnist Jon Qwelane’s application to revoke the hate speech judgment against him have been lodged by the SAHRC in the Johannesburg Equality Court.
Vincent Moaga, the spokesperson for the South African Human Rights Commission, said on Wednesday that the application would be heard on July 21 and confirmed the SAHRC had lodged opposing papers.
Qwelane was found guilty of hate speech in June for a cartoon and article published in the Sunday Sun.
The court found in a default judgment that the article amounted to hate speech and the cartoon propagated hatred and harm against homosexuals.
Qwelane was ordered to apologise through the Sunday Sun and to pay R100Â 000 to the SAHRC which would be used to promote the rights of homosexuals.
His legal representatives have asked the court to revoke its judgment against him and allow him an opportunity to defend himself.
In his court papers Qwelane said he had not been able to attend proceedings as he was away on official duty as ambassador to Uganda. — Sapa