No room at this hut for white hikers

Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is investigating what appeared to be a "misunderstanding" when two students were allegedly told they could not rent a hikers' hut on the mountain because they were white.

The investigation was launched in response to a complaint of race discrimination lodged with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) by civil rights initiative AfriForum at the weekend.

The complaint was lodged on behalf of Pretoria students Etienne and Stiaan Terblanche who claimed they had been refused accommodation at the People's Trail Hut because they were told it was reserved for the use of black people.

The hut is used by special groups and organisations that educate children from disadvantaged backgrounds about nature and Table Mountain. It costs about R30 a night per person while other accommodation on the mountain starts at around R300 a person per night.

Park spokesman Evelyn Holtzhausen said on Monday that the policies of both the TMNP and South African National Parks were "totally non-racial".

"The park doesn't discriminate against anyone in terms of race, class, status or on any other grounds," Holtzhausen said.

He said there was "obviously a misunderstanding", but the facts were still unclear.

Once the investigation was concluded, the TMNP would issue a statement.

AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said at the weekend that the case would be referred to the Equality Court if the HRC "does not treat the matter with the gravity it deserves".

"Youths who only started their school careers during the new dispensation are in effect now being treated on Table Mountain as second-class citizens because of the colour of their skin," he said.

AfriForum suggested income would be a better criterion for access to the more affordable accommodation on the mountain.

The HRC could not be reached for comment on Monday.