Court dismisses objection to postponement of former envoy’s hate-speech trial
The Constitutional Court has dismissed an objection by the Psychological Society of South Africa to the postponement of former ambassador Jon Qwelane’s hate-speech hearing. In 2008 Qwelane wrote a Sunday World column headed "Call me names, but gay is not OK"‚ suggesting that the Constitution’s acceptance of gay marriage would lead to "some idiot being allowed to marry an animal". Qwelane was due to appear in the High Court in Johannesburg in August‚ but his lawyers said he was in ill health and asked for a postponement on the day the trial was due to begin. The court granted an indefinite postponement. Qwelane’s medical records show he has suffered from heart problems‚ has difficulty breathing‚ lung disease‚ and a permanent need for oxygen and that his illness is progressive. The Psychological Society (Psy SA)‚ a friend of the court‚ told the Constitutional Court that the postponement meant Qwelane would never be brought to justice. Psy SA said that in the months before the hearing ...
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