The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it is urgently assessing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Councillor Obakeng Ramabodu’s matter in line with its complaints handling procedure.

The Democratic Alliance in Tshwane filed a case against Ramabodu, accusing him of hate speech and racism, following a council meeting last week, in which Ramabodu said: “I would be happy to moer a Boer, that would be nice… an Afrikaner blood. I want the blood of an Afrikaner, bring the blood of an Afrikaner.”

Ramabodu has since apologised unconditionally.

The SAHRC also noted with serious concern allegations of racism in Gauteng and the Western Cape, saying it was disturbing that these incidences continued to occur 30 years into democracy.

“…it is more distressing to see that three of these incidents are alleged to have taken place in schools,” it said.

The SAHRC pointed out that 12 Pretoria Girls High learners have been suspended for alleged racial utterances, micro-aggressions and complaints about African pupils, which were shared through a WhatsApp group consisting of only white pupils.

It is allowing the investigative process to be undertaken by the Gauteng Department of Education and will monitor the process and the outcome with the view to intervene.

In the Western Cape, an incident occurred at Pinelands High School with a video posted on social media that seemed to show African learners placed in a cage and "sold on auction".

In another incident in the Western Cape, it is reported that a teacher at Table View High School allegedly uttered the K-word during a grade 12 history lesson, the SAHRC explained.

The Commission said it had begun investigations at the Pinelands High School and Table View High School.

The Commission also noted concerns raised by members of the public and human rights defenders over issues of racism and the need to address them proactively and holistically.

The SAHRC informed the public that in April it established the National Question and Anti-Racism Expert Advisory Committee made up of researchers, community activists, diversity experts, youth leaders and faith-based leaders to regularly advise the Commission on systemic anti-racist measures and policies that could be adopted to counter institutionalised and structural racism and discriminatory attitudes.

It added that the Commission’s Social Harmony National Effort initiatives continue to hold dialogues in various communities to assist with addressing the high level of disharmony in the country and to forge a common national vision as envisaged in the preamble of the country’s Constitution.

The Commission encouraged members of the public experiencing racism to lodge complaints with the SAHRC.