Entertainment

10-yr jail term awaits S. African comedians who crack sarcastic jokes

Published

7 years ago

November 2, 2016

10-yr jail term awaits S. African comedians who crack sarcastic jokes

Comedians in South Africa now have to watch the tone of their jokes after the government began to review a proposed bill that could see comedians slammed with a 10 year sentence for cracking sarcastic jokes.

The move by the government is coming following the prevention and combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill that was released by the Justice Minister Micheal Masutha last week.

Reports say the provisions of the bill, will carry heavy fines and a maximum jail term of 10 years for anyone convicted of showing bias, prejudice or intolerance on the grounds of race, colour, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, belief, culture, language, nationality, birth, disability, HIV status, occupation or trade, albinism and ethnic or social origin.

While reacting to the bill which is now is now being considered by the South African government, popular comedian, Jason Goliath slammed the proposed bill saying; “What comedians do on stage compared with what people like Penny Sparrow, for example, say, shows a definite difference between freedom of speech and hate speech. We do it in the name of fun”.

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