The South African Human Rights Commission will today formally institute legal proceedings against rugby star Eben Etzebeth in the
Equality Court.
“This follows a
complaint received by the
Commission in August 2019, in terms of which it is alleged that the Springbok player physically and racially abused the complainant in
Langebaan during an altercation,” it said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, SA Rugby announced it would launch an internal
investigation into allegations that the lock had assaulted and racially abused a 42-year-old homeless man just before the World Cup kicked off.
The announcement came a day after the HRC said it would take legal action against Etzebeth, who is currently in Japan representing South Africa at the World Cup.
“Following our discussions with the South African Human Rights Commission, we have instituted an internal process to address the matter, the details of which remain an employment matter between SA Rugby and the player,” SA Rugby said.
In two videos that emerged on social media, Etzebeth, 27, allegedly insulted, assaulted and pointed a gun at the homeless man while out with relatives at a Langebaan pub.
Before flying out to Japan, he was interviewed by HRC officials, during which he denied all the allegations.
“We will definitely ask for
monetary compensation. We will ask for a public apology. We will ask for criminal prosecution of Mr Etzebeth.
“We will ask for community
service and other forms of relief,” Buang Jones, acting head of legal serves at SAHRC, told AFP.
The commission yesterday held a public meeting in Langebaan and Jones said: “The community are demanding justice.”