Sizwe Dhlomo demands the removal of Minister Gayton McKenzie over resurfaced racist comments
TV and radio personality Sizwe Dhlomo has called for the firing of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie after racist remarks resurfaced.
Image: File
Television and radio personality Sizwe Dhlomo has publicly called for the dismissal of Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, following the resurfacing of racist remarks.
On Saturday, 9 August, ActionSA complained to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), accusing Minister McKenzie of making racist remarks dating back to the apartheid era.”
The party has also indicated it may escalate the case to the Equality Court under Section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act if necessary.
Alan Beesley, ActionSA’s Member of Parliament, emphasised the importance of following the appropriate legal channels, stating:
“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.”
Herman Mashaba shared ActionSA’s statement on X with the comment: “This is deeply disturbing and concerning coming from someone who is a Minister in our democratic society. I hope and strongly advise @GaytonMcK to urgently apologise.”
In response, Dhlomo quoted Mashaba’s post, bluntly stating: “No, he must just get fired. End of story.”
The debate has sparked a range of reactions from Dhlomo’s followers:
@nfdmckenna wrote: “Even if he gets fired, PA still has seats in Parliament more than two faces Herman, and whatever you say, he does not care.”
@xactly_getwitit added: “I hope this sets a new standard and introduces new laws that put all races on a level playing field. Black people do racist things every day. People should be charged for their racist tweets.”
@DinahRadeb noted: “This is shocking from a cabinet vetting perspective. Aren’t these issues supposed to be uncovered before appointing him? So who does the vetting?”
@TreasureGambu said: “This is what he wanted for the young podcasters. The energy should be reciprocated.”
@TreasureGambu’s comment is especially relevant in light of McKenzie’s recent actions.
Just last week, the Minister urged his party, the Patriotic Alliance, to take legal action against the hosts of the “Open Chats Podcast”, who made disparaging and racist remarks about the coloured community - accusing families of intimate relationships and claiming that they suffer from mental health issues.
McKenzie said, “If coloured people had made similar remarks about other races, it would have made front-page news.”
In response to the backlash over his own alleged remarks, he expressed feeling humiliated and angry: “I never thought I would be accused of racism. In my life, I have never called anyone the K-word."
"This campaign is driven by the EFF and influencers. Show me the people I called the K-word. People are digging up posts from 11 years ago - who are the victims?”