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SAHRC and police probe video of officer insulting George voters

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

A video filmed inside the Pacaltsdorp police station allegedly shows a constable calling Rosedale voters baboons during the local government elections. It has more than 350,000 views on social media, and police said their investigation is at an advanced stage.

The video is more than 40 seconds long. It allegedly shows a uniformed constable saying his election-day duty would be to chase voters back to their caves. Fernando Antonio Fredericks, a Patriotic Alliance content creator, first shared it.

Warrant Officer Christopher Spies, the Western Cape police spokesperson, said a senior officer was appointed to investigate. He said a member of the public tried to lodge a complaint against the constable over the remarks.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating although it has no formal complaint. Chairperson Chris Nissan said the remarks were clearly hate speech and that the commission condemns any such remarks.

Key facts

Who
Chris Nissan (SAHRC chairperson); Christopher Spies (Western Cape police spokesperson, Warrant Officer); Fernando Antonio Fredericks (Patriotic Alliance content creator who first shared the video); South African Human Rights Commission (investigating body)
What
A video filmed inside the Pacaltsdorp police station in George shows a uniformed constable allegedly referring to voters in Rosedale as "baboons" and saying his election-day duty would be to chase them back to their caves. SAPS says a senior officer was appointed to investigate and the investigation is at an advanced stage; the SAHRC says it is investigating despite having no formal complaint.
When
6 November 2026
Where
George, Pacaltsdorp, Rosedale
Status
Reported

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