A Gqeberha shop owner who put up a sign banning LGBTQIA+ patrons and ran an anti-LGBTQ WhatsApp group is at the centre of a landmark hate speech case. While he claims religious freedom, the Human Rights Commission argues that his conduct incites violence and violates the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. The High Court has called for further submissions.

The court battle between the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Gqeberha businessman Dawood Lagardien, accused of promoting hate speech by refusing to serve members of the LGBTQIA+ community, continues in the city's high court, where the presiding officer has called for supplementary submissions from both sides.

While the latest court appearance took place last week, the matter dates back to mid-2023 when photographs started circulating of a chalkboard outside La Gardi Catering Plastics in Parkside.

Shop owner Dawood Lagardien wrote: "LGBTQ not welcome at La Gardi - Save our children". Shortly thereafter it came to light that Lagardien was also the administrator of a WhatsApp chat group called Our rights - antiLGBTQ+.

The SAHRC took the matter to court, claiming that Lagardien was in violation of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination...