Latest news with #PreventionandCombatingofHateCrimesandHateSpeechAct
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- Politics
- 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
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
SAHRC probes Gayton McKenzie's old ‘racist' tweets
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an investigation into allegations of racism against sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie after he allegedly used derogatory language to refer to black people decades ago. Last week, McKenzie's old tweets allegedly using the k-word resurfaced on X, sparking outrage and calls for his removal as minister. The commission said it would investigate the matter after receiving complaints from political parties and the outrage caused on social media. '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 Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Equality Act),' the SAHRC said. 'Consequently, 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 as per the South African Human Rights Commission Act read with the Equality Act.' It said given his position as a minister, McKenzie's conduct is expected to conform to the ethical standards of a minister and an MP. The SAHRC urged the public to refrain from using hate speech under the notion it is freedom of speech. '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 commission calls on everyone in the country to uphold the principles enshrined in the constitution, including human dignity, equality and non-discrimination.' ActionSA has welcomed the SAHRC's investigation. 'We maintain South Africa cannot have a sitting cabinet minister who holds such views, whether past or present, without being held to account,' said ActionSA MP Alan Beesley. 'ActionSA looks forward to the commission communicating the next steps in holding the minister to account. Racism must be confronted with consequences, no matter who the perpetrator is or their status in society.' McKenzie has consistently denied claims of racism, saying he would not apologise '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.'
The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
SAHRC takes action against Gayton's K-word tweets
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has issued a statement on Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie's old tweets, which included racial slurs like the K-word. The organisation also addressed the Patriotic Alliance leader's xenophobic comments against African foreign nationals. In the statement issued on Friday, 15 August, the SAHRC revealed that it had formally opened an investigation into Gayton McKenzie's old tweets after receiving several complaints from political parties and the public. It found that the minister had violated the Equity Act and had sent a letter of allegations informing of such. The commission pledged to navigate the way forward, which includes instituting proceedings at the Equality Court. It stated: 'The commission wishes to remind members of the public that the right ot 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. 'Given his position, Minister McKenzie's conduct is expected to confirm ethical standards that is becoming of a minister and member of parliament. Gayton McKenzie's K-word tweets cannot be probed by a parliamentary ethics committee. Images via X 'The commission calls on everyone in the country to uphold the principles enshrined in the Constitution, including human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.' Meanwhile, Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo stated that an ethics committee could not probe Gayton McKenzie's old tweets from 2013 – 2017 as he was not an MP at the time. He said: 'In terms of Item 4(2)(a) of the code, read with Item 4(3)(f), conduct committed before a person becomes an MP does not fall within the scope of the code. 'Accordingly, no complaint has been opened by the registrar, and both parties were informed of this in writing earlier today. There is, therefore, no competent complaint before the ethics committee.' 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
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SAHRC launches investigation into Minister Gayton McKenzie over alleged racist and xenophobic utterances
Gayton McKenzie has come under fire for comments made during a recent live and X posts, shared years ago 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. 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. 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 ✕ 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". IOL
IOL News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Sihle Lonzi criticises Deputy Minister Letsike for her response to MacG's podcast remarks
EFF MP Sihle Lonzi calls out ANC 'clowning', slamming Deputy Minister Letsike for political grandstanding in the MacG saga and reminding her that ministers cannot legally summon citizens to Parliament. Image: Sihle Lonzi/ X Sihle Lonzi, Member of Parliament for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and President of the Student Command, has criticised Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike. He accused her of misunderstanding the principle of separation of powers and "clowning" in her response to derogatory comments made by podcaster Macgyver "MacG" Mukwevho. Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), Lonzi said: 'This ANC Minister is CLOWNING. There are three SEPARATE arms of the State. The Executive, the Legislature (Parliament) and the Judiciary. A Minister, representing the Executive cannot 'summon' anyone to Parliament. If you are going to grandstand, at least be smart about it!' This follows a public outcry over MacG's comments on Podcast and Chill, where he crudely speculated about the reasons behind media personality Minnie Dlamini's past break-ups, saying, 'maybe her coochie smells or something.' Deputy Minister Letsike condemned the remarks as 'nauseating in its vulgarity' and labeled them as online gender-based violence. 'This incident is not a harmless joke or casual banter – it is a harrowing demonstration of online gender-based violence,' she said. She pledged to escalate the matter to various regulatory bodies, including the Commission for Gender Equality and the South African Human Rights Commission, and to pursue legal avenues under laws such as the Cybercrimes Act and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act. Letsike said: 'Women cannot be reduced to vulgar slurs and the objectification of the female body. This is a damaging reinforcement of gender-based disrespect and consequently violence.' Meanwhile, Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications has entered the fray, raising broader concerns about the unregulated growth of podcasting in South Africa.
