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Suspended sentence for man behind Hindu 'idol worshipers' Facebook post

Dawie Kriel Picture: Suthentira Govender
Dawie Kriel Picture: Suthentira Govender

Dawie Kriel‚ who described Hindus on social media as idol worshipers‚ was sentenced to a fine of R6000 or 12 months imprisonment suspended for five years.

Kriel appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday charged with crimen injuria case after he offended Hindus by describing them as “idol worshippers” in a social media post last year.

Magistrate Themba Sishi said Kriel’s social media post was demeaning‚ humiliating and stereotyping against the Hindu faith which goes against the values of the constitution of the country.

“His comments went global and invoked a sense of shock‚ anger and disgust‚” said Sishi.

The case was brought against Kriel by the DA and ANC after his Facebook post went viral and caused outrage after he complained that fireworks were imported into the country in containers‚ despite complaints each year about the noise they created.

In the post that landed him in hot water‚ Kriel attacked President Jacob Zuma for allowing the “Gupta’s (sic) and company” a licence to import fireworks. He also ridiculed idol worship.

His post read: “To those idol worshippers and devil disciples who buy them in the name of religion‚” before making derogatory and offensive remarks about Hindus.

“I could strangle you morons with my bare hands and derive great pleasure in watching your face turn blue and your tongue pop out‚” he added.

He later publicly apologised for his actions.

“Anger is not an excuse and I realise the foolishness of my remarks‚” he posted a day after his outburst on Facebook.

DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango said he was disappointed with the sentence‚ saying Kriel just walked free.

“He should have been asked to do community service‚” said Mncwango.

Ashwin Trikamjee‚ head of the SA Hindu Maha Sabha‚ said many people would be unhappy with the suspended sentence.

“It does not send a message to society that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated‚” said Trikamjee.

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