Cape Town – The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has launched an investigation into Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie over offensive social media posts and alleged xenophobic remarks.
The case follows a recent live video in which McKenzie used a racial slur while discussing a podcast controversy, as well as resurfaced tweets from 2011–2017 containing apartheid-era slurs and racially charged language.
The SAHRC said the comments may breach the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, and could lead to proceedings in the Equality Court.
Media Statement: South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on the ‘k- word’ posts and alleged xenophobic utterances by Minister Gayton McKenzie pic.twitter.com/Kxmt3aIfAw
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) August 15, 2025
The Commission stressed that freedom of expression does not extend to hate speech, and urged leaders to uphold constitutional values of dignity, equality and non-discrimination.
McKenzie has denied being racist, blaming a politically motivated campaign by the EFF and social media influencers.
While acknowledging that his past remarks were “insensitive, stupid and hurtful,” he insists they were youthful trolling rather than racism, pointing to his mixed family background and lifelong stance against racial inequality.
He has expressed readiness to cooperate with the investigation.
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Picture: X/ @MinisterMcK
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
