Two Langebaan residents, who have accused Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth of assault and racism, want more than R1
million in damages.
They also want a court order directing Etzebeth to apologise to the coloured community, for him to undergo anger management and race sensitivity training, and do community service in Langebaan, said acting SAHRC legal head, Buang Jones, on
Friday at a community meeting in the town.
Etzebeth, who is currently representing South Africa in Japan at the Rugby World Cup, faces allegations of assault, wielding a firearm and hate speech.
Enver Wilsnach and Siyaad Smith are suing for damages in excess of R1m.
On Friday, the SAHRC filed four applications on their behalf at the Equality Court in Hopefield.
Etzebeth will have 10 days to file an answering affidavit.
This after he allegedly called the men Hottentots, pistol-whipped them and swore at them.
Jones said the HRC would ask the Equality Court to declare the H-word hate speech, as the K-word has been.
Meanwhile, a Langebaan resident who was present on the night Etzebeth got into the tussle with members of the Langebaan Yacht Club on 24 August said the rugby star was allegedly, “already drunk and aggressive” when he and his friends arrived.
The resident, who spoke to the Weekend Argus on condition of anonymity, said the row erupted when one of the coloured club members asked someone in Etzebeth’s group to remove his cap as this was against club rules.
The group allegedly took exception to this and the manager had to be called to break up the scuffle.
“They were rude and were swearing at the coloured members,” said the resident, adding Etzebeth and his friends were not members of the club.
Jones confirmed that the HRC had been contacted by SA Rugby Union (Saru) lawyers, who said the union had launched its own investigation and it had appointed a retired judge to lead it.
Etzebeth has denied all the allegations against him.