Human rights watchdog probes into social media remarks

The dust around the racist remarks made by a local policeman on social media has not settled yet.

Mr Isaac Mangena, spokesperson of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said they are investigating the matter after Const Elvis Thabiso Sithole commented on a post on a radio station’s social media site, fueling racism and bragging about how he suffocates what he calls ‘this kind of racists.’

“I normally suffocate a bit with a refuse bag this kind of racists before booking them in the holding cells, bcoz it doesn’t leave any marks. They just become red and after doing the paperwork I lock them up and take the docket home so that no one can release them until they meet with the Honourable Magistrate in court the next Court date,” was one of the posts the policeman posted.

Brig Delisiwe Goodness Motha, local station commander, was happy with the constable’s explanation that he did not post any remarks on social media.

“He blamed his brother and said he left his phone at home on Thursday and his brother posted all the posts and remarks that followed,” Capt Eddie Hall, police spokesperson said.

However SAHRC doesn’t take these remarks lightly.

“We have written back to the commander with the follow-up from their initial submission, also to advise her that her investigation outcome is unsatisfactory and incomplete as we still await a sworn statement of the constable’s younger brother who is reported to be the person who posted the alleged racial remarks,” Mangena said.

Capt Hall said Const Sithole’s brother gave a statement wherein he confirms that the social media statements were posted by him.
The statement was sent to the Human Rights Commission for feedback.

“Brig Motha accepted Const Sithole’s brother’s statement and regard this matter as finalised on station level,” Capt Hall said.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s Acting National spokesperson, Mr Robbie Raburabu said they are giving the SAHRC space to conduct their investigation as they do not want to duplicate the investigation.

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