Johannesburg – A notice reading “LGBTQ not welcome at LaGardi – Save our children” has landed Gqeberha shop owner Dawood Lagardien in hot water with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes at the weekend, the SAHRC announced that it has “instituted legal proceedings under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 against Mr. Dawood Lagardien”.
The SAHRC said the matter stems from a sign displayed outside the premises of the Respondent’s business, which reads: “LGBTQ not welcome at LaGardi – Save our children.”
The matter first surfaced last year when Eastern Cape residents and organisations miffed by the notice written in chalk on a board outside the shop reported Lagardien to the SAHRC.
The SAHRC said the notice was aimed at excluding members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ+), community from any services offered by his business.
“In addition, the respondent established and actively managed a WhatsApp group titled ‘Our Rights – anti-LGBTQ+’, which contains statements and material that appear to incite harm against individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and related communities,” said SAHRC.
“Following assessment of the complaint, the Commission has concluded that alleged actions by Mr. Dawood Lagardien constitute hate speech and/or harassment as contemplated in terms of sections 10 and 11 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 2000 (PEPUDA or Equality Act).”
The SAHRC said a hearing has been scheduled in the East London High Court, sitting as an Equality Court for Monday, 26 May 2025.
