Gayton Has a “Case to Answer” Over a Racist Utterance Complaint

Statement by Leah Potgieter MP – DA Spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture:

In August last year, the DA lodged a complaint against Gayton McKenzie with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for his foul and clearly racist remarks made on X (formerly, Twitter).

The SAHRC has responded to our call, noting the high volume of complaints lodged with regard to this matter, that the complaints raise serious concerns and that Gayton McKenzie has a “case to answer” regarding PEPUDA, including hate speech and unfair discrimination.

Not only are these utterances nothing short of vile and degrading, but they do violence to the very underpinnings of our non-racial and non-sexist constitutional order. The contents of these utterances are plainly racist, derogatory, discriminatory, and deserve to receive the fullness of the Commission’s wrath.

We support the SAHRC and look forward to them taking the appropriate remedial measures for the alleged violations of our Constitution.

Minister McKenzie must take responsibility and be held accountable – racism has no place in South Africa.

The DA will also follow up with the SAHRC with regard to our complaint on utterances made by Kenny Kunene, which were also extremely derogatory and sexist.

As a democratic country built on the uncompromising principles of non‑racism, non‑sexism, human dignity and equality, remarks of this nature, especially when attributed to public figures, cannot go unchallenged. They must be forcefully rejected by all sectors of society and met with the appropriate legal consequences.