Truck driver awarded R25 000 over k-word slur
The truck driver said the incident left him feeling belittled and emotionally distressed.
A truck driver has been awarded R25,000 in damages by the Equality Court in George, Western Cape, after being subjected to racial abuse by a co-worker. The judgment, delivered on June 25, 2026, also demanded a formal apology and anti-racism training for the perpetrator. The incident occurred on November 29, 2024, when the applicant was called the k-word multiple times by his colleague at work.
The applicant, who experienced emotional distress and felt belittled, reported the incident to his employer, who took disciplinary action against the individual, leading to their termination. However, the impact of the abuse persisted, prompting the truck driver to seek legal action. The court ruled that the k-word, a racial slur, is deeply degrading and constitutes hate speech due to its humiliating and offensive nature.
Legal Aid South Africa represented the applicant, who expressed relief at finally regaining his dignity and self-respect following the court's decision.
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