Charges of unfair discrimination levelled against Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Diane Kohler-Barnard were dismissed by the Equality Court on Monday.
Kohler-Barnard had faced a complaint based on comments she had allegedly made at a party workshop; these were taken as evidence of racism, sexism and xenophobia on her part.
However, Magistrate Jerome Koeries said that the complainant, former DA staffer Louw Nel, had failed to corroborate his claims, while Kohler-Barnard had been able to show that her views were informed by some circumstantial evidence rather than bigotry.
Koeries noted: ‘There was no evidence placed before the court, only bare allegations.’
Nel had been supported by three witnesses, although they had failed to provide specific confirmation of what he had alleged.
In addition to dismissing the case, the magistrate ordered Nel to pay Kohler-Barnard’s legal fees.
Nel said he was ‘appalled’ by the judgment and would be appealing.