Actress Lizz Meiring, Clyde Kotze and Shaun Shaun Mynhardt.
Image: SUPPLIED
A staff member at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has landed in serious trouble after an explosive email, allegedly sent from his official work account, branded one of South Africa's most loved actresses, Lizz Meiring, a 'lying lesbian'.
The email, reportedly written by psychologist Clyde Kotze, has sparked outrage and prompted the university to look into the matter.
Kotze is in a relationship with Shaun Mynhardt, the man who previously made sensational and widely disputed claims that he had married 91-year-old singer Min Shaw.
The retired entertainer's family publicly rejected those claims at the time, describing Mynhardt as an attention-seeking liar and expressing deep distress over the saga.
The latest controversy erupted when Kotze allegedly sent the inflammatory message to a Rapport journalist using his official university email account, a move that has now placed UWC under the spotlight.
The claim was also posted on the South African Legends Museum Facebook account, which is owned by Mynhardt.
UWC spokesperson Gasant Abarder confirmed the matter to IOL.
"I can't disclose an email that belongs to a staff member. We've been made aware of it and the university is going to look at it," he said.
Kotze defended himself extensively.
Psychologist Clyde Kotze's comments sparks outrage over Lizz Meiring.
Image: SUPPLIED
"If you are simply stating a fact about someone's sexual orientation and it’s relevant, respectful, and accurate, then it's not hate speech."
He further stressed his own identity and advocacy work. "I am gay myself and help a lot of young people in the LGBTQ+ communities."
Kotze also claimed he believes he is being unfairly singled out and victimised.
"I feel that I am being targeted by Meiring because I am a successful and educated young coloured male. This is racism and discrimination!"
Addressing the university's involvement, he added: "I had no idea that UWC would take an interest in an email I sent simply to answer questions that were posed to me."
He maintains that the initial questions directed at him had nothing to do with UWC, but claims the saga intensified over time.
"The questions themselves had nothing to do with UWC. However, after months of investigations, interrogations, and false accusations made by Meiring and others, I found myself in a position where I had to provide proof that I am, in fact, employed at UWC as a psychologist."
He went on to say that he was taken aback that his professional credentials had, in his view, become part of the controversy.
"It is deeply concerning that even my professional employment now appears to be treated as something open to doubt or suspicion," he said.
Meiring hit back at the claims and allegations about her sexuality.
"I am definitely not gay, though I have the greatest respect for everyone’s sexual orientation."
Meiring described the claims as 'absolutely ridiculous' to IOL and insisted they are a desperate attempt to discredit her.
She said the real concern is far more serious: her personal safety.
"Far more importantly is that he has [allegedly] published my physical address. The matter is under investigation with lawyers."
She added that, despite the rumours, she is not letting them get to her.
"They have basically told people a bunch of really absolutely ridiculous lies about me that are so ridiculous that, quite frankly, it shouldn't even be honoured with an answer."
Some of the insults have even amused her, like being labelled a 'never been, has been'.
"Their spelling is really terrible. I wish they would just use a spell check in terms of all these libellous things they have said."
Meiring said Kotze knows the claims are untrue, but the act of allegedly publishing her address is intimidation and a serious safety hazard.
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