Breaking news SAHRC investigates Minister Gayton McKenzie's xenophobic posts; warns against hate speech The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has announced an official investigation into a series of offensive posts by Minister Gayton McKenzie, dating from 2011 to 2017, which recently resurfaced on his X account. The Commission said it received multiple complaints from political parties and individuals about these posts, alleged to contain xenophobic remarks. Public outrage has also mounted on social media and in the press. SAHRC’s initial assessment found that Minister McKenzie’s statements prima facie violate South Africa’s Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Equality Act) of 2000. An allegation letter has been sent to the minister, and further steps may include legal proceedings in the Equality Court under provisions of both the SAHRC Act and the Equality Act. SAHRC emphasized that while freedom of expression is a protected right, it is not absolute. Hate speech, including xenophobic content, is prohibited by law, specifically under the Equality Act and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act, 2023. The Commission called on the public to uphold human rights and reject hate speech as South Africa continues to confront social divisions.

Gayton McKenzie faces backlash over resurfaced racial slur old tweets Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, is under renewed fire after old tweets surfaced showing him using the racial slur "k*ffir." The tweets, which include derogatory language targeting Black South Africans, have reignited public outrage amid McKenzie’s recent strong stance against racism. In one of the tweets, McKenzie, then a businessman and Patriotic Alliance leader, criticized terms like "Black Diamond" and referred to Black people using the highly offensive term. Social media users and political commentators condemned the posts, accusing McKenzie of hypocrisy given his recent condemnation of racist remarks most notably his legal action that led to the cancellation of the Open Chats Podcast over offensive comments about the Coloured community. Critics highlight McKenzie’s history of divisive rhetoric, pointing to his defense of a DA MP accused of racism and controversial statements about Zimbabwean immigrants and Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina. McKenzie has not yet publicly addressed the resurfaced tweets. Supporters argue that McKenzie’s past should be weighed against his political transformation, while others call for clear accountability and a direct response from him. The Patriotic Alliance has not commented on the matter. The controversy adds to ongoing debates about race, accountability, and leadership in South Africa’s complex social landscape.