Hofmeyr to face the music over LGBTQ+ remarks
Lengthy talks to reach a settlement in the R500 000 civil matter against Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr broke down at the Gqeberha High Court on Thursday.
The Human Rights Commission is dragging the controversial singer to court over his remarks on social media that Disney's plan to have more inclusive characters is to groom children to have sex with animals.
Hofmeyr also said the LGBTQIA+ community could be inclusive of relationships with animals.
The Commission in the Eastern Cape instituted an investigation after receiving a complaint from a Gqeberha non-profit organisation.
The Commission's Provincial Manager Dr Eileen Carter says Hofmeyr's remarks constituted hate speech and harassment in terms of the Equality Act.
"The Human Rights Commission is very clear about the protection of this vulnerable group's rights," said Carter.
Although the Commission wants R500 000 from Hofmeyr and wants him to undergo community service, Dr Carter says the Commission is in the hands of the court to decide on an order it deems fit.
Dr Carter says the contents of Thursday's settlement talks cannot be disclosed but the matter has now been set down for early next year.
"It is set down for the 16th of February 2023 for the matter to be heard and for jurisdiction on the issue and whether in fact, the Commission should have instituted the litigation in the first place," Carter added.
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