Equality Court Slaps Down Kenny Kunene: ‘Cockroach’ Slur Against Malema Declared Hate Speech

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In a landmark ruling, the Equality Court has upheld an appeal finding that suspended Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene’s use of the term “cockroach” to describe EFF leader Julius Malema amounts to hate speech. The court ruled that Kunene’s language violates the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA).

The judgment explicitly prohibits Kunene from using the offensive slur in future and compels him to issue a formal public apology to Malema. This decision reinforces South Africa’s commitment to combating hate speech and upholding respect in political discourse.

The ruling sends a strong message against inflammatory rhetoric in the country’s often heated political arena.