SAHRC launches investigation into Minister Gayton McKenzie over alleged racist and xenophobic utterances
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has initiated an investigation into Minister Gayton McKenzie over offensive posts on his X account and alleged xenophobic utterances.
The controversy stems from remarks made in a live video and social media posts dating back as far as 2011.
The Commission said it became aware of the resurfaced posts on August 9 2025, and has received multiple complaints from various political parties and individuals, prompting the commission to take action.
Following an initial assessment, the SAHRC believes that McKenzie's utterances are "prima facie violations of the provisions of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Equality Act), 2000".
An allegation letter has been dispatched to McKenzie. The Commission stated that its next steps might include instituting proceedings in the relevant Equality Court, as per the SAHRC Act of 2013 and the Equality Act.
The SAHRC emphasised that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute, reminding the public that hate speech is explicitly prohibited by both the Equality Act and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act, 2023.
The Commission reiterated that McKenzie's conduct is expected to "conform to ethical standards that is becoming of a Minister and a member of Parliament". The SAHRC also called on all citizens to uphold the Constitution's fundamental principles, including human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.
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The outcry against McKenzie, who serves as the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, began with his use of a racial slur (the 'K-word') during a live video.
This incident occurred as he discussed actions taken by the Patriotic Alliance against the hosts of the "Open Chats Podcast," who had themselves made disparaging and racist remarks about the coloured community. McKenzie had previously urged his party to take legal action against these podcasters, stating that if coloured people had made similar remarks about other races, it would have been front-page news.
Following the live video controversy, older social media posts by McKenzie, dating between 2011 and 2017, resurfaced. These tweets reportedly contained "apartheid-era racial slurs directed at black South Africans" and criticised the term 'Black Diamond' using racially charged language deemed "reprehensible".
McKenzie has denied being a racist, claiming that the entire controversy is a "politically motivated campaign orchestrated by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and social media influencers".
He stated: "This whole campaign to find something racist I ever said is hilarious because you have now gone 13 years back and can't bring out one racist thing I ever said".
While denying racist intent, McKenzie has admitted to posting "insensitive, stupid and hurtful" remarks a decade or two ago, acknowledging, "I was a troll [and] stupid. I cringe when seeing them and I am truly sorry for that". He cited his background, stating, "My mother was black and I have children with a black woman. I fought my whole life for the same treatment between black and Coloured people because we fought the same struggle".
McKenzie has stated his willingness to subject himself to an investigation, reiterating, "I can never be guilty of racism, try some other take down but never racism".
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Mail & Guardian
7 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
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. The commission has issued McKenzie, who leads the Patriotic Alliance, with an allegation letter, setting out remedial measures and requiring a response. If he refuses to comply, the matter will be referred to the Equality Court under the SA Human Rights Commission Act read with the Equality Act. It has given the minister until 20 August to respond to the allegations. The proposed measures include deleting the offending posts, issuing a public apology in consultation with the commission, undergoing sensitivity training, and making a donation to a charity. SAHRC spokesperson Wisani Baloyi said the body had considered the wording of the posts, the circumstances under which they were made, and their potential effect on the dignity of others. 'We believe there is prima facie evidence of a violation of the Equality Act,' he said. The commission also used the opportunity to remind the public that the right to freedom of expression is not absolute. 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.' McKenzie has also dismissed the controversy as politically motivated, accusing the 'I can never be guilty of racism. Try some other takedown, but never racism,' he said. 'What you see here, they fear me, they have been calling me ibhantinti [prisoner], I mustn't be here, then every time I beat them in the by-elections, where is Bhantinti and all? Now they found racism, what racism? How can I be racist my brother me?' said the convicted criminal turned politician. The resurfacing of the posts and the commission's decision to investigate have prompted sharp reactions across the political spectrum. ActionSA, which lodged a complaint with the SAHRC, welcomed the investigation. 'We maintain that South Africa cannot have a sitting cabinet minister who holds such views, whether past or present, without being held to account,' ActionSA MP Alan He said the SAHRC's action was appropriate. 'No cabinet minister can be allowed to casually use racial slurs and walk away without consequence.' 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.
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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
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