A DEFIANT Jon Qwelane has vowed to fight to the bitter end to "protect his human rights" and to be allowed to express any views he believes in.
Qwelane, South Africa's ambassador to Uganda, wants the Equality Court in Johannesburg to rescind a judgment in which he was found guilty of hate speech.
He was found guilty in April and ordered to tender an unconditional apology to the gay and lesbian community. He was also ordered to pay R100000 to the SA Human Rights Commission.
Qwelane's column in the Sunday Sun newspaper in July 2008 titled "Call me names but gay is not okay" was accompanied by a cartoon of a wedding between a man and a goat.
He wrote: "Some day, a bunch of politicians will muster the balls to rewrite the constitution. Someone please tell the human rights commission I refuse to withdraw or apologise for my views."
Yesterday, Qwelane's advocate said his client did not intend to apologise and would fight for his rights.
He argued that the judgment was granted erroneously, was granted in default, and that the court had exceeded its jurisdiction when granting it.
He asked for the case to be referred to the high court, and, thereafter, to the Constitutional Court as it was a freedom of expression matter.
Judgment will be handed down on September 1.
Qwelane defiant
A DEFIANT Jon Qwelane has vowed to fight to the bitter end to "protect his human rights" and to be allowed to express any views he believes in.
Qwelane, South Africa's ambassador to Uganda, wants the Equality Court in Johannesburg to rescind a judgment in which he was found guilty of hate speech.
He was found guilty in April and ordered to tender an unconditional apology to the gay and lesbian community. He was also ordered to pay R100000 to the SA Human Rights Commission.
Qwelane's column in the Sunday Sun newspaper in July 2008 titled "Call me names but gay is not okay" was accompanied by a cartoon of a wedding between a man and a goat.
He wrote: "Some day, a bunch of politicians will muster the balls to rewrite the constitution. Someone please tell the human rights commission I refuse to withdraw or apologise for my views."
Yesterday, Qwelane's advocate said his client did not intend to apologise and would fight for his rights.
He argued that the judgment was granted erroneously, was granted in default, and that the court had exceeded its jurisdiction when granting it.
He asked for the case to be referred to the high court, and, thereafter, to the Constitutional Court as it was a freedom of expression matter.
Judgment will be handed down on September 1.
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