Gayton McKenzie Says Racism Allegations Are an Orchestrated Campaign Against Him, Mzansi Divided
- Gayton McKenzie maintained that he would not apologise for posts deliberately taken out of context
- The Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture believes he is being targeted as part of an orchestrated campaign
- South Africans shared their thoughts on the Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader's latest claims about the tweets
- Briefly News spoke to attorney Noma-Gcina Mtshontshi about the legal aspect of McKenzie using the K-word
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG - Gayton McKenzie believes that the controversy surrounding his old tweets is part of a politically motivated plan against him.
The Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture believes that digging up old social media posts to allege he was a racist was part of a campaign against him because of the success the Patriotic Alliance (PA) has had in politics.
The PA, led by McKenzie, is currently a part of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
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What did McKenzie say?
In a video on social media on Monday, 18 August 20250, the minister said he would not apologise for social media posts deliberately taken out of context. He also claimed that people were intimidated by him, which is why they had to dig into his past.
"It’s very obvious that people are intimidated by me. This is an operation. How do you go back 15 years? That means they can’t find something in my present," he said.
Source: Getty Images
Minister questions why podcast hosts aren’t targeted
McKenzie also questioned why the hosts of the Open Chats podcast were not being targeted with the same intensity as he was. The PA leader’s old tweets resurfaced after his party initiated legal action against the podcasters over comments they made about the Coloured community.
"The Open Chats Podcast insulted Coloured people. Patriotic Alliance took legal action, but now everyone’s focused on me and my old tweets. That’s how coloured people have always been treated in SA," he claimed.
What do you need to know about the McKenzie saga?
- McKenzie apologised for the tweets that have resurfaced from over a decade ago, but South Africans were not having it.
- South Africans roasted the minister after he said his controversial tweets were taken out of context.
- Numerous parties and individuals have called for McKenzie to be removed from his ministerial post.
- McKenzie issued a defiant statement when he said that people don’t know what’s coming if he’s removed.
- PA Deputy President Kenny Kunene has defended party leader Gayton McKenzie amid the controversy of his past tweets.
- ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba bashed McKenzie’s apology for the tweets, describing it as unacceptable.
Briefly News speaks to expert
Briefly News spoke to Noma-Gcina Mtshontshi, the director of Mtshontshi Attorneys. She weighed in on McKenzie's comments.
"If one looks at this in the wider context, beyond just hate speech, it becomes more complex. Bearing in mind that Ministers serve at the pleasure of the president, we have seen the impasse we find ourselves in with a minister of Police being alleged to have been involved in criminal activity who was placed on leave with full pay and benefits, while paying another minister occupying the position," she said.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were divided by McKenzie’s unapologetic stance. Some showed support for the minister, while others labelled him a hypocrite.
Nceba Ralarala asked:
“When has a criminal ever admitted to a crime?”
Pholoso Mere noted:
“When they say everyone has skeletons in their closets, they mean this. 🤣Yah, nobody is perfect.”
Buhle Radebe asked:
“Ultimately, his supporters voted for him despite his racist and criminal past. Why did Ramaphosa appoint him and why didn't the SAHRC investigate him years ago?”
Keith Solomons said:
“Gayton for President. We need someone with a backbone.”
Gavin Carelse agreed:
“Of course it’s a ploy. Who gets angry a decade later over something? Selective outrage used as political fodder.”
Angelo Loock stated:
“Digging happened with Ronaldo Gouws also, yet you celebrated his firing at the time.”
Jean Theron asked:
“But aren't you the clown that said Renaldo Gouws must be fired for his 2010 video? You, sir, are a racist and a hypocrite.”
McKenzie to engage with South African Human Rights Commission
Briefly News reported that McKenzie will meet with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
The commission is investigating the minister over social media posts he made over a decade ago.
South Africans shared their thoughts on McKenzie's imminent appearance before the commission.
Limpopo Premier’s office denies allegations that Phophi Ramathuba is involved in corruption
Briefly News reported that the office of Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba denied allegations that Ramathuba granted irregular payments at the Mokgalakwena Municipality. An account purported to belong to the Municipal Manager alleged that Ramathuba compelled the municipal manager to make the irregular payments.
The municipal manager distanced himself from the account, and the Premier's office slammed the allegations.
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Source: Briefly News
