A costly ordeal
Another concern about getting justice when discriminated is the fact that the process can be an expensive affair especially when the victims are not sure of winning the case.
Mr Shire says that when people are confident that they have enough evidence in any case, the next problem they face is getting a solicitor which costs them money and the lack of resources to help them with this.
He says: “Unfortunately some of the people you want to challenge in court tend to be the very people you rely upon to give you the resources to do what you want to do. For example, if you want to take the local authority or police to court and if they have the resources, you definitely have a lower chance of challenging them and certainly when you challenge them they will always come back at you.”
When victims have to fight against public organisations and systems that are set up to actually help them, the justice procedure can be painful and lengthy. But, Mr Falcao, says that the Race Relations Amendment Act forces public organisations to act in an anti-racial way not only in an equal way. “Now if these bodies are in breach of this requirement of the law, they may also be in breach of your human rights.”
He reiterates the importance of making a complaint and making it a point to stand up and voice out the racial discrimination despite the fact that it might be expensive.