Human Rights Commission takes action on hate speech cases

Zuko Komisa

Image | Knysna High School student | Open Chat hosts | Gayton McKenzie / X

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has taken action against multiple individuals and groups for alleged hate speech, including podcasters, a government minister, and a TikTok user.
The Open Chats Podcast hosts have apologised and agreed to sensitivity training and community service following their racist remarks against the Coloured community.
The SAHRC is taking Minister Gayton McKenzie to the Equality Court and is investigating two separate incidents involving the use of a racial slur in a viral TikTok video and at a Knysna high school.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has provided an update on several ongoing hate speech investigations, confirming that it is pursuing legal and remedial action against those accused of making racist and offensive remarks.

Open Chats Podcast Hosts Settle Case

The SAHRC confirmed that the hosts of the “Open Chats Podcast”—Mthokozisi Methula, Honeshna Margarido, Gontse Madikwane, and Lefa Hlalele—have agreed to a settlement after making derogatory comments about the Coloured community.

The commission had initially sent a letter of demand, instructing the podcasters to issue a “full, unconditional, and unequivocal apology,” retract their statements, and remove the offensive episode from all platforms.

The hosts complied, issuing a public apology that read, in part: “We, here at Open Chats Podcast, wish to unconditionally, and unreservedly apologise for the hurt and the harm we caused to the Coloured Community and to South Africa at large… Our statements in the episode were racist, sexist, unfortunate, irresponsible, reckless and unAfrican.”

As part of the settlement, the hosts will also undergo diversity and sensitivity training and perform community service at their own expense.

Minister Gayton McKenzie to Face Equality Court

The SAHRC is taking Minister Gayton McKenzie to the Equality Court over alleged xenophobic social media posts. The commission stated that the minister’s utterances were a “prima facie violation” of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.

The SAHRC sent an official letter of allegation to McKenzie, but has not received a response. It has now decided to proceed with urgent legal action.

Investigations into TikTok and Knysna High School Incidents

The commission is also investigating two separate incidents involving the use of the ‘k-word’.

In the first case, the SAHRC is looking into a viral TikTok video where a woman forces her domestic worker to repeat the racial slur. The commission has launched an investigation and is appealing to the public for help in locating the alleged victim to assist in laying charges of crimen injuria.

Additionally, the SAHRC is investigating a viral video from a Knysna High School event where a student is alleged to have used the slur. The commission has sent an allegation letter to the Western Cape Department of Education and the school principal as part of its ongoing investigation.

The SAHRC concluded by reiterating its commitment to upholding the constitutional principles of human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination.