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The SAHRC has found Ngizwe Mchunu’s remarks about the LGBTQI+ community to constitute hate speech and unfair discrimination.
Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo
- The SAHRC has found Ngizwe Mchunu’s remarks about the LGBTQI+ community to constitute hate speech and unfair discrimination.
- Mchunu has refused to apologise, saying he was defending Zulu cultural traditions and that the SAHRC “will find their apology in my grave”.
- The SAHRC has ordered him to remove all offending content, issue a public apology within 24 hours, or face possible Equality Court action.
Controversial media personality Ngizwe Mchunu has rejected the South African Human Rights Commission’s order for him to apologise for remarks against the LGBTQI+ community – saying the commission “will find their apology in my grave”.
This week, the SAHRC found that Mchunu’s statements that same-sex couples should not wear Zulu traditional attire amounted to hate speech and unfair discrimination.
On Friday, the former radio personality however said he would “never apologise” for his comments, insisting that he was defending the cultural values and traditions of the Zulu nation.
“I don’t understand how they reached that conclusion. They can fuck off. I stand by what I said because it was meant to preserve our culture,” he added.
The commission said it had concluded that Mchunu’s comments were prima facie violations of the provisions of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
The SAHRC has since sent a letter demanding that he immediately cease from publishing, distributing or promoting any further content that incites violence, constitutes hate speech, or amounts to discrimination against LGBTQI+ people on any platform.
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They also demanded that Mchunu remove all offending content from his social media platforms and associated channels within 24 hours of receipt of the letter.
In his online video, Mchunu launched a tirade against members of the LGBTQI+ community, particularly targeting gay men who wear traditional Zulu attire.
He described same-sex relationships as “shameful” and claimed that Zulu regalia should be reserved for heterosexual men, calling it “an insult to the ancestors” for gay couples to wear it.
Mchunu went further, using derogatory language such as “mgodoyi” (dog) to refer to gay people, including media personality Somizi Mhlongo, adding that people like him “should take all his people and leave South Africa”.
He also stated that gay people “must be discriminated against publicly”, adding that a man who sleeps with another man “should be arrested or [get] a talking to”.
His remarks drew widespread condemnation and were reported to the SAHRC for promoting hatred and intolerance.
The commission also demanded that Mchunu issue a public retraction and apology, acknowledging the harm caused, and committing to refrain from such conduct in future.
It would determine the “best way forward”, including possible Equality Court action.
But Mchunu remained unmoved and unapologetic.
He said:
How do they measure a statement to qualify it as hate speech? There is nothing in my utterance that was discriminating against anyone and there is nothing I’m going to apologise for... at all.
“They will find their apology in my grave. I will never bow down from my statement and for representing and protecting the Zulu kingdom, my culture, and heritage.”
Mchunu insisted he did not hate anyone.
LGBTQI+ rights organisations, including Trans Hope and the Hate Crimes Working Group, have condemned his defiance, saying his remarks and continued refusal to apologise showed a blatant disregard for human rights and the country’s Constitution.
