The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) announced on Wednesday that it will take legal action against Springbok rugby player Eben Etzebeth, who is presently at the World Cup in Japan, over a complaint that he racially abused a person in Langebaan.
The SAHRC said it received a complaint in August alleging that the Springbok rugby player, “physically and racially” abused the complainant in Langebaan during an altercation.
In a terse statement the SAHRC said it was taking the matter to the Equality Court in Cape Town.
“The SAHRC will institute legal proceedings against Mr. Eben Etzebeth in the Equality Court on Friday, 4 October, 2019,” said the statement.
The rights body said it will hold a public meeting in Langebaan tonight,, ahead of the court hearing, to “report back” on progress made in dealing with this complaint.
Soon after the alleged incident, Etzebeth said he met with the SAHRC and “strongly denied” the allegations.
“It is completely untrue and unfounded to claim that I physically or racially abused anyone in Langebaan as has been reported on social media. Multiple witnesses can corroborate that,” the Bok player explains.
In August, two videos emerged on social media, where Etzebeth, 27, allegedly called the coloured man a “hotnot” and assaulted him outside Die Watergat Langebaan Yacht Club.
In a video filmed inside the pub, someone can be heard repeatedly shouting “f*k*f”.
This is alleged to be Etzebeth after he was told to apologise to a patron whom he had allegedly klapped with a glass of brandy.
Police have confirmed the matter is being investigated after the alleged victims laid charges against the Bok player.
African News Agency