SAHRC investigates Ngizwe Mchunu’s alleged homophobic remarks

SAHRC investigates Ngizawe Mchunu’s alleged homophobic remarks

Zuko Komisa

SAHRC investigates Ngizwe Mchunu’s alleged homophobic remarks — Image | Showmax Online

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating Ngizwe Mchunu following complaints about his alleged homophobic and offensive remarks on social media platforms.
The Commission confirmed it has received complaints from the public and civil society groups and will assess them according to its Complaints Handling Procedure.
The SAHRC reminded the public that the rights to freedom of expression and cultural belief are not absolute and are prohibited when propagating hatred, citing the Constitution and the Equality Act.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has confirmed it is investigating alleged homophobic and offensive statements made recently by Mr Ngizwe Mchunu against the LGBTQI+ community.

The Commission released a statement on Thursday, 2 October 2025, acknowledging it is aware of the remarks, which were reportedly circulated on social media platforms.

The SAHRC has also confirmed that it has received multiple complaints from both members of the public and civil society organisations concerning the alleged offensive utterances.

These complaints are currently being formally registered and will be assessed in line with the Commission’s Complaints Handling Procedure.

The SAHRC stated it will communicate the outcome of this assessment in due course.

In its statement, the Commission took the opportunity to issue a reminder to the public regarding the limits of certain rights, particularly the right to freedom of expression and cultural belief.

The SAHRC emphasised that these rights are “not absolute,” pointing out that the Constitution and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000 expressly prohibit “utterances that are intended to be harmful or propagate hatred on any of the listed grounds.”

The Commission concluded its statement by calling on everyone in the country to uphold the Constitutional principles of human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.