Gayton McKenzie ‘intends' to meet with SAHRC over K-word tweets
Patriotic Alliance leader and Minister of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture Gayton McKenzie is prepared to meet with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
McKenzie faced a backlash last week after old social media posts resurfaced where he used the K-word multiple times.
The resurfacing of the minister's social media posts came days after he chastised a group of podcasters for comments they made about South Africa's coloured community.
Intentions to meet SAHRC
The SAHRC announced on Friday that it's assessments concluded that there was sufficient evidence to take the matter of McKenzie's posts further.
'The commission has sent an allegation letter to Minister McKenzie. Thereafter, the commission will determine the best way forward, which may include instituting proceedings in the relevant Equality Court,' stated the SAHRC.
McKenzie defended himself last week, where he attempted to provide context for his repeated use of the K-word.
Patriotic Alliance spokesperson Steve Motale told The Citizen that McKenzie would be engaging with the SAHRC.
'We intend to take the SAHRC up on their offer of a meeting because there are numerous issues that we need to clarify to them, such as the fact that he was not even the author of many of the offensive tweets, which can easily be proven,' said Motale.
'After these points are clarified, we will have a better idea of what the way forward should be.'
'Hate speech is prohibited'
McKenzie was referred to the SAHRC by ActionSA. There were also calls by some for President Cyril Ramaphosa to discipline the government of national unity signatory.
'Mr President, you appointed a minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against black people,' stated African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula.
The SAHRC asked South Africans to uphold the principles constitution and promote dignity and equality.
'The commission wishes to remind members of the public that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute.
'Hate speech is prohibited in terms of the Equality Act, and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act,' the SAHRC concluded.
NOW READ: Gayton McKenzie racism row deepens as string of racist comments threaten national unity
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Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'We want Zimbabweans to work in SA. 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Mail & Guardian
3 hours ago
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Two days left for Gayton McKenzie to respond to K-word allegations
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy The South African Human Rights Commission ( The commission confirmed that it had received complaints from political parties and members of the public after the posts, published from 2011 to 2017, circulated on X earlier this month. The content drew public outrage and renewed calls for McKenzie's removal from the cabinet. In a statement, the SAHRC said the posts amounted to a prima facie violation of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act and that McKenzie's conduct was inconsistent with the ethical standards expected of a cabinet minister and member of parliament. 'After assessment of the contents, the commission is of the view that utterances made by Minister McKenzie are prima facie violations of the provisions of the Equality Act,' it said. 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It warned against using hate speech under the guise of free speech protections, citing the Equality Act and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act. 'The commission calls on everyone in the country to uphold the principles enshrined in the constitution, including human dignity, equality and non-discrimination,' it said. McKenzie has rejected the allegations, insisting he has never used the K-word. Speaking to news channel 'I can't ask for forgiveness for something I didn't do. Why am I asking for forgiveness for some of the nonsense things I said about guys and swearing at some guys, not racism. I won't apologise,' he said. 'Why would I apologise for something I didn't do? Even if the president says I must apologise for racism, I will not, because I wasn't racist. Must I be so desperate for a job that I start apologising for stuff? No. I'm another type of guy.' 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Last week, the EFF called for McKenzie's immediate dismissal from the cabinet. 'A minister entrusted with national identity and cultural diversity cannot be tainted by such racist conduct,' the party said. The EFF argued that past incidents should serve as a benchmark for how such matters are handled, referencing the case of Renaldo Gouws, who was expelled from the Democratic Alliance and resigned from parliament after his racist remarks also resurfaced. 'The dismissal of Renaldo Gouws for his racist utterances set a firm precedent: individuals who demean black people should not occupy leadership roles, particularly in spaces that require engagement with diverse communities,' the EFF said in a statement. 'McKenzie's comments carry the same weight, if not more, as they come from a coloured man using the language of oppression against black people.' The party also accused McKenzie of inconsistency and hypocrisy after he recently slammed a podcast over derogatory comments against coloured people. 'It is also the height of hypocrisy for McKenzie to demand accountability from others. He himself harbours the same hateful attitudes. Recently, when podcasters on 'Open Chats' made offensive remarks about cColoured people, calling them 'incestuous' and 'crazy', McKenzie expressed outrage, opened a case against them, and demanded a public apology,' the EFF said.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Gayton McKenzie ‘intends' to meet with SAHRC over K-word tweets
The SAHRC sent an letter to Gayton McKenzie outlining the allegations against him after offensive social media posts resurfaced. Patriotic Alliance leader and Minister of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture Gayton McKenzie is prepared to meet with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). McKenzie faced a backlash last week after old social media posts resurfaced where he used the K-word multiple times. The resurfacing of the minister's social media posts came days after he chastised a group of podcasters for comments they made about South Africa's coloured community. Intentions to meet SAHRC The SAHRC announced on Friday that it's assessments concluded that there was sufficient evidence to take the matter of McKenzie's posts further. 'The commission has sent an allegation letter to Minister McKenzie. Thereafter, the commission will determine the best way forward, which may include instituting proceedings in the relevant Equality Court,' stated the SAHRC. McKenzie defended himself last week, where he attempted to provide context for his repeated use of the K-word. Patriotic Alliance spokesperson Steve Motale told The Citizen that McKenzie would be engaging with the SAHRC. 'We intend to take the SAHRC up on their offer of a meeting because there are numerous issues that we need to clarify to them, such as the fact that he was not even the author of many of the offensive tweets, which can easily be proven,' said Motale. 'After these points are clarified, we will have a better idea of what the way forward should be.' 'Hate speech is prohibited' McKenzie was referred to the SAHRC by ActionSA. There were also calls by some for President Cyril Ramaphosa to discipline the government of national unity signatory. 'Mr President, you appointed a minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against black people,' stated African Transformation Movement leader Vuyo Zungula. The SAHRC asked South Africans to uphold the principles constitution and promote dignity and equality. 'The commission wishes to remind members of the public that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute. 'Hate speech is prohibited in terms of the Equality Act, and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act,' the SAHRC concluded. NOW READ: Gayton McKenzie racism row deepens as string of racist comments threaten national unity
