Latest news with #OpenChats
The South African
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
'No double standards': DA on Gayton McKenzie's k-word posts
Following outrage over Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie's racist social media posts, the Democratic Alliance (DA) says there is no place for race based division in South Africa, no matter from who or from where it comes. McKenzie is facing backlash on social media after X (formerly Twitter) users dug up his old posts and videos where he referred to black people using the k-word. This was after he condemned the Open Chats podcast hosts for distasteful comments about the Coloured community. DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said the party expects that this matter will be dealt with in line with the same standards as others who perpetuate hate and division. 'There should be no place for double standards and hateful race-based division in South Africa, whether it comes from a podcaster, from a GNU party leader, or from singing hate-filled chants about killing people based on ethnicity. 'In past circumstances, the use of the K-word has had serious sanctions in South Africa, including dismissal, and we expect that will be the natural consequence here too,' she said. In September 2024, the DA terminated Renaldo Gouws' membership and forfeited his seat in Parliament for a similar reason. The South African previously reported that in a video that resurfaced on social media, Gouws allegedly uses extremely offensive language, explicitly calling for the killing of Black individuals. These statements were identified as violating the principles of dignity and equality enshrined in South African law. Following the video's resurgence, aggrieved citizens called on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) via social media to intervene. Meanwhile, ActionSA has reported Gayton McKenzie to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) over his racial slurs. ActionSA member of Parliament Alan Beesley said while they hold reservations about the effectiveness of the SAHRC, it remains the constitutionally empowered institution mandated to address such matters. 'Accordingly, we will follow the prescribed process, but are fully prepared to independently institute proceedings at the Equality Court in terms of Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. Racism and the dehumanising of any person, regardless of their race, has no place in South Africa,' Beesley said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
6 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
'GAYTON MUST GO'
In another, he said the slurs were used by coloureds as solely 'descriptive' terms. In one of his posts, he criticised the term 'Black Diamond' and 'Tenderpreneurs' as replacing the k-word as a slur. However, the EFF called this move hypocritical after pointing out McKenzie's use of the K-word in a string of tweets dating back to 2011. McKenzie made headlines last week when he and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) brought criminal charges against the Open Chats podcast for claiming that coloureds are incestuous and are 'crazy'. McKenzie is being accused by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ActionSA and the African Transformation of using the K-word. GAYTON McKenzie is facing calls to fired as Sports, Arts and Culture Minister. Mr President @CyrilRamaphosa , you appointed a Minister who has publicly uttered deeply offensive and despicable words against Black people. Is this really the vision of unity and inclusivity that the GNU stands for? We demand action NOW! Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. In response, the EFF called for the immediate removal of Gayton McKenzie as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture for his history of hateful, racist Remarks An EFF statement said: 'It is also the height of hypocrisy for McKenzie to demand accountability from others when he himself harbours the same hateful attitudes. 'Recently, when podcasters on Open Chats made offensive remarks about coloured people — calling them 'incestuous' and 'crazy' — McKenzie expressed outrage, opened a case against them, and demanded a public apology. 'While he was right to be offended by prejudice directed at his community, this double standard strips him of any moral or ethical standing to lead on issues of non-racialism and social cohesion. 'Leaving him in office sends the message that the government condones such racism.' The African Transformation Movement (ATM), meanwhile, lodged a complaint against McKenzie to the Presidency, Parliament, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests. ATM parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula said: '(The) tweets employ language steeped in historical racism, the same kind of degrading rhetoric used to strip black people of their humanity during apartheid and colonial eras.' The complaint asks Parliament's ethics bodies to determine whether the remarks breach the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct, and to consider removing McKenzie from his ministerial post. It argues that his continued tenure undermines his office and Parliament. Meanwhile, ActionSA has reported McKenzie to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for the racist remarks he made, which included the use of outdated and degrading slurs from the Apartheid era. However, McKenzie wrote on his X account saying that: '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. 'I always and still fight that Coloureds and Blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly.'
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
SAHRC probes ‘Open Chats Podcast' despite apology
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an investigation into derogatory remarks made by the hosts of the Open Chats Podcast against the coloured community. The popular podcast came under fire this week, sparking outrage and calls for its removal. Political parties, including the ANC, DA, PA and EFF, have condemned the behaviour and reported the matter to the commission. Despite the hosts apologising and the clip being removed from the episode, the commission said it would proceed with its investigation. 'The commission, through its Gauteng provincial office, has opened an own accord investigation and will continue with its investigative process,' the SAHRC said. 'The commission also confirms receipt of several complaints from political parties and individuals against the Open Chats podcast for the pain endured by the coloured community and other vulnerable communities as a result of offensive remarks on the episode.' The SAHRC said it has sent allegation letters to the respondents and would determine the way forward. The commission urged the public to use the media responsibly, emphasising the right to freedom of expression is not absolute and hate speech is prohibited. 'Podcasts are not exempted from the limitations. Podcast owners, hosts and guests are subject to the constitution and all applicable laws.' The commission said it would make a submission to the draft white paper on audio and audiovisual media services and online safety released by the communications and digital technologies department. 'Recent online attacks against the coloured community and other vulnerable communities again underscore the urgent need for stronger digital regulations to protect dignity, equality and human rights in the digital age. 'The commission also advises that any individual complainant seeking criminal sanction may lodge a crimen injuria complaint with the police.'
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Human Rights Commission to investigate Open Chats podcast despite its apology
Hosts of Open Chats Mthokozisi Methula and Busisiwe Radebe are being investigated. Despite the Open Chats podcast's apology for its untasteful remarks about coloured people, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will investigate the platform after receiving complaints. 'The commission has noted that the hosts, through their lawyers, sought to apologise for their offensive remarks soon after the discussion went viral on social media and the discussion has since been removed from the episode,' the SAHRC's statement said on Friday morning. Media Statement: South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigates concerning remarks made on Open Chats podcast — SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) August 8, 2025 'However, the commission through its Gauteng provincial office has opened an own accord investigation and will continue with its investigative process.' On their 128th episode, the hosts of Open Chats podcast, Mthokozisi Methula and Busisiwe Radebe, said that coloured people practice incest and that they are 'crazy'. Following an uproar from political parties, civil society and the general public, Open Chats released a statement apologising. 'We would like to clarify that Open Chats does not promote or support racism or discrimination, as seen in previous episodes. We have had a wide range of guests on the show, including our coloured community in numerous episodes,' read the podcast's statement. The apology was sent through its legal representatives, Snail Attorneys. ALSO READ: 'I am appalled by the recent so-called apology issued' — Nonn Botha on Open Chats podcast 'Hate speech is prohibited' Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie said the comments were racist and he was planning on taking legal action against the podcast. The EFF and the ANC are some of the political parties that have reacted to the comments made on the Open Chats podcast. 'The commission also confirms receipt of several complaints from political parties and individuals against the Open Chats podcast for the pain endured by the coloured community and other vulnerable communities as a result of offensive remarks on the episode,' said the SAHRC. The commission said it had sent allegation letters to the respondents and that it may approach the Equality Court as per section 13(3)(b) of the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013 (SAHRC Act). In response to criticism, The Open Chats Podcast has apologized for causing offense to the Coloured community, acknowledging the need for respectful dialogue on sensitive topics "The intention was never to cause harm or disrespect the Coloured community' PA leader Gayton… — News Live SA (@newslivesa) August 6, 2025 The Act deals with the factors to be considered when determining if discrimination is unfair. Specifically, it states that the impact or likely impact of the discrimination on the complainant is one of the factors to be considered, according to the Act. '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, 2023,' said the commission. 'Podcasts are not exempted from these limitations. Podcast owners, hosts and guests are subject to the Constitution and all applicable laws,' read the statement. NOW READ: WATCH: Gayton McKenzie gives update on Open Chats podcast as Multichoice confirms its removal
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Open Chats Podcast axed amid backlash over derogatory remarks
MultiChoice has parted ways with Open Chats Podcast following widespread outrage over racist comments targeting the coloured community. MULTICHOICE CONFIRMS END OF CONTRACT WITH OPEN CHATS PODCAST The controversy erupted when the podcast hosts made offensive claims in one of their episodes, sparking massive backlash and calls for MultiChoice to cancel their contract immediately. In a comment to The South African, MultiChoice spokesperson Suzaan Keyter confirmed that the podcast's contract with DStv ended on 25 July. ADVERTISEMENT 'MultiChoice is aware of recent comments made on the Open Chats podcast. Open Chats' contract with DStv ended on 25 July 2025, as the show was removed to make way for our August content slate. The episode in question was not aired on our platform. MultiChoice adheres to stringent quality control processes and does not promote any discriminatory content,' she stated. OFFENSIVE REMARKS SPARK NATIONAL ANGER The now-removed episode contained derogatory generalisations about coloured families. One of the hosts claimed that 'Apparently Coloureds chow (have sex with) each other.' Another co-host responded, 'I do believe that because Coloureds are crazy,' further intensifying public anger toward the podcast and its creators. They continued agreeing with each other, pushing the false narrative that coloured people are mentally unstable. POLITICIANS AND PUBLIC DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY The Patriotic Alliance's Liam Jacobs confirmed that he opened a hate crime case against the podcast's hosts at the Brooklyn Police Station in Tshwane. Jacobs called the remarks 'deeply offensive and racist' and vowed to take the matter to the Equality Court and Human Rights Commission. He posted: 'This is decisive action. This is justice. We will no longer be a punchline,' demanding a full public apology immediately. ADVERTISEMENT The DA has also condemned the comments, saying: 'This is not humour. It is not harmless 'pop culture commentary'. It is an assault on the dignity of a community and an attempt to reduce the lived realities of South Africans into cheap, demeaning stereotypes for the sake of online clicks. 'Such content fans the flames of division and undermines the constitutional values of equality, human dignity, and social cohesion'. The ANC and EFF also joined the condemnation. They united in rejecting hate speech that threatens South Africa's constitutional principles and national unity. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
