The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa reserved judgement on Thursday in the hearing of a complaint against the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s broadcast of a ”hate song” by hip-hop artist Zubz, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) said.
The complaint about the song, titled Get Out, was laid by the FF+ in February after it was shown repeatedly on the channel’s late-night music show.
Party spokesperson Willie Spies said the song is nothing other than hate speech, which is prohibited by the Constitution. ”One controversial quote from the song tells how the singer encourages his followers to place a panga against the neck of the oppressor and to chase him out of the country.”
In another controversial phrase, the artist promises to ”take what is mine today and I’ll rob you [oppressor] tomorrow”, said Spies.
He said the artist is portrayed in the video as a military commander addressing a group of black soldiers.
In its arguments before the commission, the FF+ said it heavily relies on a previous decision by the commission in which a song by well-known songwriter Mbongeni Ngema was banned.
The song, which referred to Indians, was found to be undesirable.
Spies said the latest case is ”remarkably” similar to Ngema’s song, adding that the party would not be surprised if the same principles were to be applied in the same manner when the song Get Out was considered.
He said the FF+ would, as a minority party dealing with Afrikaner interests, continue to fight in every possible forum against abuses such as the broadcasting of hate speech. — Sapa