MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Guilty Finding Against Minister Macpherson for Discriminatory Remarks

Guilty Finding Against Minister Macpherson for Discriminatory Remarks

ActionSA welcomes the finding by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests that the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, breached Parliament’s Code of Ethical Conduct by making discriminatory remarks directed at ActionSA supporters in July last year.

The post ActionSA Welcomes Guilty Finding Against Minister Macpherson for Discriminatory Remarks appeared first on ActionSA.

ActionSA welcomes the finding by Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests that the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, breached Parliament’s Code of Ethical Conduct by making discriminatory remarks directed at ActionSA supporters in July last year.

 

The Committee found the Minister guilty of contravening Sections 5(1)(e) and 5(1)(f) of the Code, which require Members of Parliament to:

  • maintain public confidence and trust in the integrity of Parliament; and
  • remain committed to the eradication of all forms of discrimination.

The finding stems from remarks made by the Minister outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court in July 2025, where he referred to a group of predominantly black ActionSA supporters as “amaphara”. These remarks, which circulated widely on social media, quite rightly drew widespread public outrage.

Importantly, the Ethics Committee expressly rejected the Minister’s defence that the term “amaphara” was not discriminatory. The Committee instead found that the term is derogatory and discriminatory, creates social stigma, and labels those targeted by it as societal outcasts.

ActionSA welcomes the Committee’s recommendation that the Minister be formally reprimanded in the National Assembly and be required to enter an apology into the official parliamentary record. This outcome sends an important message that maliciously discriminatory conduct cannot simply be excused or ignored when committed by politically connected individuals.

It is deeply disappointing that, despite the seriousness of these remarks, the Minister’s own party, the Democratic Alliance, has failed to take any meaningful public action against him. Silence and inaction in the face of discrimination only serve to normalise it.

As a non-racial party committed to building a South Africa for all who live in it, ActionSA will continue advancing the values of dignity, equality and mutual respect. Remarks of this nature have no place in our democracy — particularly from a sitting Cabinet Minister entrusted with serving all South Africans.

ActionSA will also forward the Ethics Committee’s finding as additional supporting evidence in the ongoing complaint before the South African Human Rights Commission relating to the same matter.

Read More at the Source

ActionSA Origins: Formed after Mashaba resigned from the DA.

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Thoughts on Lotto Winner News

    Dear Editor This is fantastic news for the community of Gqeberha. It is always heartwarming to hear about such life-changing positive outcomes for everyday people. Congratulations to the lucky winner! Regards Buhle Ngcobo In Response to/From: R8.5 Million Lotto Winner Claims Prize in Gqeberha

  • Inquiry Regarding SASSA Card Replacement

    Dear Editor I am a social grant recipient and need guidance on swapping my SASSA Gold Card for the Postbank Black Card. Please assist. Regards Buhle Ngcobo In Response to/From: Minister Tolashe assures smooth transition to Postbank Black Cards for grant beneficiaries Swapping your SASSA Gold Card for the new Postbank Black Card is a…

  • Congratulations to the Lotto Winner

    Dear Editor Dear Editor, I was thrilled to hear about the R8.5 million Lotto win for the community of Gqeberha. Such life-changing news brings hope and excitement to everyone in the area. I congratulate the winner and wish them all the best with their prize. May this bring positive change to their life and the…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 3. to be injected with the AIDS virus for a slow death.

    So the German said, \”Shoot me right in the head.\” Boom, he was dead instantly.

    Then the Italian said, \”Just hang me.\” Snap! He was dead.

    Then it was Van der Merwe turn , and he said, \”Give me some of that AIDS stuff.\”

    They gave him the shot, and Van der Merwe fell down laughing. The guards looked at each other and wondered what was wrong with this guy.

    Then Van der Merwe said, \”Give me another one of those shots,\”so the guards did. Now he was laughing so hard, tears rolled from his eyes and he doubled over.

    Finally the warden said, \”What\’s wrong with you?\”

    Van der Merwe replied, \”You guys are so stupid…..

    I\’m wearing a condom.\”