DA, McKenzie fight back after offensive podcast episode
Gayton McKenzie
The Open Chats Podcast has sparked widespread outrage after an episode containing derogatory remarks about the coloured community went viral on TikTok. The hosts made harmful racial comments, including suggesting incest was common among coloured people and labelling the community as “crazy”.
Critics have condemned the remarks as degrading and harmful, accusing the podcasters of fuelling racial division for online attention. Despite a public apology and the removal of the offending content, many believe accountability is still necessary.
DA and PA Respond with Human Rights Complaint and Possible Lawsuit
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). DA Federal Chairperson Dr Ivan Meyer called the podcast episode “an assault on the constitutional values of equality and dignity”, adding that free speech does not extend to hate speech or racial stereotyping.
Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has instructed his legal team to explore possible legal action against the podcasters. McKenzie described the remarks as racist and unacceptable, stating, “We cannot allow people to feel this comfortable degrading others. If these things were said about another race, the outrage would be on every front page.”
Both political parties have called on South Africans to reject such harmful rhetoric and stand against any attempt to normalise racial denigration.