Television and radio personality Sizwe Dhlomo has publicly demanded the dismissal of Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, after decades-old racist remarks attributed to the minister resurfaced.
On Saturday, 9 August, ActionSA lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), accusing McKenzie of making racially charged statements dating back to the apartheid era. The party has indicated it may escalate the matter to the Equality Court under Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act if necessary.
ActionSA MP Alan Beesley stressed the importance of due process, saying: “The SAHRC remains the constitutionally empowered institution mandated to address such matters. We will follow the prescribed process, but are prepared to independently institute proceedings at the Equality Court if required.”
Party leader Herman Mashaba shared ActionSA’s statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling the alleged comments “deeply disturbing” for a sitting minister in a democratic society. “I hope and strongly advise @GaytonMcK to urgently apologise,” Mashaba added.
Dhlomo, however, dismissed the idea of an apology as sufficient. Quoting Mashaba’s post, he responded bluntly: “No, he must just get fired. End of story.”
The SAHRC is yet to confirm when it will begin its investigation into the complaint.
Main Image: IOL
