The sign, which was photographed and shared on social media, has since been removed from the establishment.

SAHRC provincial manager, Dr Eileen Carter, said the commission had received complaints from the public about the sign.

She said their office is in the process of assessing the complaints.

"The SAHRC has noted the latest development in respect of an exclusionary and prima facie discriminatory sign posted at a shopping facility in Gqeberha. Our office is in the process of assessing these complaints as per our complaints handling procedures," Carter said.

"Each matter is assessed on its own merit and a way forward will be determined accordingly," she added.


The owner of the carwash, who did not want to be named, said he did not erect the sign.

"We respect the laws of the country," he said, and declined to comment further.

The centre's management released a statement on social media, saying an unknown person had erected the poster on their premises.

The centre said this was brought to their attention last Tuesday and they immediately removed the poster.

"We would like to ensure that our centre is regarded as a safe and inclusive environment free from any forms of discrimination," the statement read.

Furthermore, the statement said it was unfortunate that some members of the public had associated the poster with the centre and by implication its management, rather than with the person who placed the poster.

"This has unfortunately resulted in inaccurate and defamatory remarks having been made concerning the centre in circumstances where our management personnel were not even aware of the existence of the poster until the matter was reported to us."

The statement concluded that it supported the country's Bill of Rights and was opposed to any form of unlawful discrimination.

This is the second incident where an anti-gay poster was erected at an establishment Gqeberha in recent months.

Earlier this year, Dawood Lagardien, owner of La Gardi Plastics and Baking Requirements, caused an uproar when he put up a sign outside his establishment banning gay, lesbian and transgender people from entering.

The SAHRC has taken Lagardien's matter to the Equality Court.

Source: News24